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Supreme Court begins oral arguments DATELINE USA Defrocked priest in US on constitutionality of PH drug war arrested in Laguna FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

by DANA

A FORMER Filipino priest wanted in the United States for allegedly molesting two minors in North Dakota between the years 1995 to 1998 has been arrested in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines on Sunday, November 19. Reports say Fernando Laude Sayasaya was consequently brought to Manila for extradition to the U.S. where he is facing two counts of “gross sexual imposition� filed by brothers Hugo Zamarron and Pablo Zamarron. Sayasaya faces accusations of engaging the then 15-year-old brothers in sexual contact, both in their home and church, during his assignment as priest at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in West Fargo, North Dakota. The ex-Catholic priest reportedly asked for the church’s permission in December 1998 to visit the Philippines for Christmas, and said he would return to the U.S. in January 1999 which he failed to do. “Alam niya na papalabas na ‘yung warrant of arrest [so] nagpaalam siya dun sa

SIOSON AJPress

THIS week, the Supreme Court (SC) began hearing arguments in the petition to declare Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs as unconstitutional. More than 3,900 Filipinos have been killed since the so-called drug war launched last year mostly for supposedly resisting arrest. Critics of the campaign have claimed that summary executions are occurring during operations—an allegation that the police has repeatedly denied.

Last month, lawyers from the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) filed a petition before the SC. They argued that the the drug war should be declared unconstitutional because it paves way for the police to kill suspects in guise of “neutralizing� them during operations. “That could be subject to misinterpretation by the policeman on the ground,� Jose Manuel “Chel� Diokno of FLAG said during the course of oral arguments on Tuesday, Nov. 21. Diokno pointed out that the term “neutralize� could mean “kill�. Supreme Court justices, led by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, enter the SC en banc session hall in Manila during In their petition, human rights the start of oral arguments on the consolidated petitions to declare President Duterte’s drug war unconstitutional

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on Tuesday, Nov. 21.

Philstar.com photo by Miguel De Guzman

Duterte warns of revolutionary gov’t if ‘things go out of control’

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White-born Florida woman claims to identify as Filipina

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

Ja Du, a transgender woman, now speaks up about newfound Filipina identity

A WHITE transgender woman in Florida announced this week that she identifies as a Filipina. In a story that first broke on the Tampa area WTSP on Monday, November 13, the woman — who was born Adam and said she’s in the process of legally changing her name to Ja Du — told the station that she considers herself Filipina. Ja Du says she grew up watching The History Channel and said that “nothing else intrigued me more but things about Filipino culture.� She has since concluded that she is Filipina and intends to live a “transracial� lifestyle as a Filipina. “Whenever I’m around the music, around the food, I feel like I’m in my own skin,� she told WTSP. Ja Du drives around town in what she calls

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RAISING THE TROOP’s MORALE. President Rodrigo Duterte expresses his high praises to the troops of the 1st Infantry Battalion (1IB) who were preparing to leave at the Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan de Oro City on Monday, November 20. The 1IB were among the ďŹ rst units deployed in Marawi City when the battle against the terrorists broke out almost ďŹ ve months ago. MalacaĂąang photo by Ace Morandante

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, Nov. 18, warned anew that he would declare a revolutionary government if things have gone “out of control� and the government is at risk of being overthrown violently. “If things go out of control and [the] government is weakened—that is my predicate,� Duterte told reporters in Davao City. “If my country is weakened and I see revolutionaries bringing firearms on the streets, well, maybe you shouldn’t have second thoughts, I will declare a revolutionary government,� he added. The president also pointed out that he

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Filipinos named in Paradise Papers leak Pacquiao mulls quitting politics SEVERAL Filipinos were included in the so-called Paradise Papers—one of the world’s largest leak of financial documents showing how personalities manage to keep from paying higher taxes—according to a report from the Philippine Star. The recent leak detailed how some politi-

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

cians and business personalities use complex structures to launder money, fend off sanctions, and evade tax. The controversial documents were first obtained by the German newspaper SĂźddeutsche Zeitung, and were shared with the

PHILIPPINE Senator Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday, Nov. 21 admitted that thoughts of resigning from politics have been crossing his mind. In a press briefing at the Senate, Pacquiao expressed dismay toward “destabilizers� and politicians with “hidden agenda[s],� saying such feelings have made him ponder if he will still seek a new government post after his term ends in 2022. “If you would ask me right now about politics, I feel like getting dismayed, discouraged. I’m thinking about quitting, like—so

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Filipina sworn in as member of key US Treasury advisory board by CARINA

ORIEL/AJPress

WASHINGTON – A Filipina community leader was sworn in as a member of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund Community Advisory Board on Thursday, November 16. Faith Bautista, the president and CEO of the National Diversity Coalition (NDC) and National Asian American Coalition (NAAC), was appointed by the Trump administration to serve for a total of four years. The swearing-in ceremony was led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin inside U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin swore in nine new private citizens, including Filipina community the Cash Room of the departleader Faith Bautista, to serve on the department’s Community Development Financial Institutions ment’s building. Bautista is one of nine pri(CDFI) Fund Community Advisory Board on Thursday, November 16. AJPress photo

vate citizens to serve on the board, alongside six public representatives, totaling 15 members. She is one of two officers on the board coming from a national consumer or public interest organization. The Advisory Board advises the U.S. Treasury Department’s CDFI Fund on policies and activities focusing on economic development and empowerment for underserved and low-to-moderate income communities. “I am honored to be the first person of Filipino descent to serve on the CDFI Fund’s Community Advisory Board. Through this role, I will continue to advocate for

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Sen. Manny Pacquiao

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From the Front Page

A CALL TO JUSTICE. Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman Roberto Cadiz (4th from left) is joined by lawyers from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), and various alternative legal groups such as the Free Legal Assistance Group (Flag), Alternative Law Groups (ALG), Artikulo Tres, Center for International Law (Centerlaw), National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), Association of Law Students of the Philippines (ALSP), and the Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (Ideals), gathered on Monday, Nov. 20, to urge fellow lawyers to take a more active role in standing by their solemn oath to be advocates of justice and human rights. Inquirer.net photo by Pathricia Roxas

Supreme Court begins oral arguments... PAGE A1 t advocates wanted the high court to declare as unconstitutional the Command Memorandum Circular (CMC) 16-2016 or Philippine National Police (PNP)’s “Project: Double Barrel� or Duterte’s drug war. The CMC 16-2016 aims “to clear all drug affected barangays across the country, conduct no let up operations against illegal drugs personalities, and dismantle drug syndicates� by pursuing the “neutralization� of illegal drug personalities and its network backbone. Petitioners also want the high

court to declare as unconstitutional the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)’s Memorandum Circular 2017-112, which created a system of anonymous reporting of suspected criminals Lawyer Joel Butuyan, who represents families of 35 victims of anti-drug operations carried out by the Manila Police District Station 6 at San Andres Bukid, told SC that it was easy to be included but hard to be removed from the list of drug suspects. Butuyan cited that his clients tried to clear their names but the “police are not allowing them.� Next week on Tuesday, Nov.

Pacquiao mulls quitting... PAGE A1 t this is politics? Because I don’t know how to play politics. Whichever is correct, whichever I think is right for the nation, that’s what I will push for,� the senator told reporters in Filipino. He added, “I discovered a lot when I joined politics—things that you wouldn’t know whether it’s true or not. A lot of them are concealing behind a different appearance.� Pacquiao, more globally known for his boxing career, was elected as Sarangani Representative in 2010. In 2016, he was elected as

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a member of the Senate. Asked about his chances of running in the next election, Pacquiao responded, “You know, I told my wife [Jinkee] that I wanted to resign. But if I quit, who will be left with a heart? Who will provide real service?� The senator said he was displeased by politicians who pretend to help the poor but have “hidden agenda[s].� He also expressed disappointment toward personalities who try to “destabilize� the government. But when asked whom he was referring to, the senator refused to cite specific names.

28, it will be the key officials in Duterte’s drug war’s turn to defend the campaign before the high court. The SC has ordered PNP Chief Director General Ronald “Bato� Dela Rosa and Interior officerin-charge Catalino Cuy to appear during the next week’s hearing. Also summoned were Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Chief Aaron Aquino; Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) officer-incharge Jose Marlowe Pedregosa; National Police Commission (Napolcom) Chief Atty. Rogelio Casurao; and PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS) Inspector General Alfegard Triambulo. n Concerning the possibility of running next for presidency, the neophyte senator said he is looking to God for guidance. “If I continue my career in politics, whatever responsibility God bestows on me, I will accept,� Pacquiao remarked. According to him, many have aspired to become the chief executive of the country but “it is impossible to become president without the approval from God.� “There have been a lot of strong people who wanted to become the president. Many have potentials, yet God did not approve. No one can become the president but those whom the Lord anoints,� he added. n

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From the Front Page

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvembeR 24-30, 2017

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Sen. Franken accused of groping and kissing Fil-Am entertainer in 2006 Anchor for “McIntyre in the Morning” Leeann Tweeden tells her story by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

A FILIPINA-AMERICAN model turned radio newscaster on Wednesday, November 15, said that in 2006, she, without her consent, was kissed and groped by Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), who joins a growing list of men accused of inappropriate sexual misconduct against women. Morning newscaster on the Los Angeles-based KABC, Leeann Tweeden, who is half Filipina from her mother’s side, described her experience in a piece titled, “Senator Al Franken Kissed and NEW PDP MEMBERS FROM LEYTE. Senate President Aquilino “Koko” PImentel III, President of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino - Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban), led the oath-taking of 3,000 new members of the ruling party in Leyte Province. Among those who took their oath in the Eastern Visayas Region were Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominic Petilla, Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan, Southern Leyte Governor Christopherson Yap, Biliran Governor Gerardo Espina, Jr., Leyte Vice Governor Carlo Loreto and Representatives Henry Ong (Leyte, 2nd District) and Vicente “Ching” Veloso (Leyte, 3rd District). Senate photo by Ariel Cagadas

White-born Florida woman claims to identify...

society where whiteness as a default places real constraints about how people of color can decide to move in the world, this smacks of white privilege in the worst way,” de Guzman said in an email. People who have criticized Ja Du’s new identity compared Ja Du’s announcement to that of white-born former NAACP chapter president Rachel Dolezal who received backlash for identifying as black. (Klarize Medenilla/AJ Press)

PAGE A1 t a Tuk Tuk, a purple motorized vehicle inspired by the tricycle public transit bikes in the Philippines. She said she has started a Facebook group for other transracial individuals who identify as other races and ethnicities. “I think things that make no sense to most people make sense to us on an individual level in almost every person, like a swelling feeling you feel when you listen to dramatic music,” Ja Du told HuffPost. “It’s all sound and vibration but something in it relates to your soul on such a subconscious level that you connect with it and [that’s] how I feel about the Filipino culture.” She reportedly said that she wouldn’t use her newly-found identity to access Filipino-specific benefits like scholarships, jobs etc. I believe people will [take advantage] just like other people have taken advantage of their identity to get their way, but the difference between me and them...is that I don’t want that,“ she told WTSP. “I think that we all have the freedoms to pursue happiness in our own ways.” But Filipinos are not so quick to embrace Ja Du as a FilipinoAmerican. Political science student Erica Sy at UC Riverside says that simply claiming identity to another ethnicity for “superficial reasons” such as liking the food, music or cultural aesthetics negates the struggles that people of those communities suffer. “Just because you enjoy certain aspects of the Filipino culture doesn’t make you a Filipino. You know what it takes to identify as a Filipino? Being Filipino,” Sy said in an email to the Asian Journal. “Being Filipina means more than connecting with the music, food or what have you. It means living

Ja Du believes she is Filipina and intends to live a “transracial” life.

a life where discrimination is frequent.” She added that many Filipinas, including herself, have gone through identity crises relating to being Filipina. Before she fully embraced her “Filipino-ness”, she often tried to mask her ethnic identity. “I grew up thinking my features were less appealing and made extensive efforts to hide my Filipino-ness, so to speak,” Sy, 27, recalled. “I grew up seeing my Filipina mother being called these awful, derogatory terms. When I grew older, I, too, became a target of those attacks. People of color, especially women of color, receive a lot of s**t for just existing. So unless you’re OK with receiving the struggles, then welcome to the community. But you can’t just sail by just taking all the harmless aspects of the culture.” Ben de Guzman, an executive member of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project, mirrored Sy’s take and said that trying to claim another race or ethnicity represents white privilege. “For Filipinos who don’t have the luxury of making the decision to identify as another race in a

Filipina sworn in as member... PAGE A1 t the underrepresented within our community and beyond,” Bautista told the Asian Journal, adding that her position will hopefully bring more Filipinos appointed to government positions. In October, Bautista and the NDC announced the launch of The Capital Corps, LLC, a CDFI-created with the intention to finance homeowners and small businesses that are currently underserved by banks and other traditional financial institutions. “I’ve been working on policies to help 70 percent of people living paycheck to paycheck. CDFIs are the solution to give access to capital to low-to-moderate income consumers. I will continue shaping up policies to increase jobs, homeownership, and provide access to small businesses,” she said.

NAAC is a HUD-approved nonprofit housing counseling organization focused on sustainable homeownership, job creation, small business, and economic development for Asian Americans throughout the nation. NDC is a congregation of community organizers, faith-based leaders, nonprofit directors, and business owners who work together to achieve financial equality and empowerment for underserved communities. Through her work at NDC and NAAC, Bautista creates strategic partnerships between corporations, government agencies, and community organizations to advocate for opportunities in homeownership, small business, and financial literacy. The three major themes that the organizations’ work focuses on are diversity, economic empowerment, and corporate social responsibility. n

Filipinos named in Paradise... PAGE A1 t International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). The ICIJ is now overseeing the investigation on the leak. The Paradise Papers is composed of 13.4 million files, covering seven decades from 1950 to 2016. Most of its leaked documents were from offshore law firm Appleby, and other 19 tax havens. In a statement, Appleby, one of the world’s most prestigious offshore law firms, insisted that it “does not tolerate illegal behavior.” “Appleby has thoroughly and vigorously investigated the allegations and we are satisfied that there is no evidence of any wrongdoing, either on the part of ourselves or our clients,” it said. “We refute any allegations that may suggest otherwise and

we would be happy to cooperate fully with any legitimate and authorised investigation of the allegations by the appropriate and relevant authorities, it added. Having “researched the ICIJ’s allegations,” Appleby said it believed the allegations are “unfounded and based on a lack of understanding of the legitimate and lawful structures used in the offshore sector.” There are reportedly 169 Filipinos and major entities included in the list. The ICIJ, meanwhile, emphasized that “there are legitimate uses for offshore companies and trusts.” “We do not intend to suggest or imply that any people, companies or other entities included in the ICIJ Offshore Leaks Database have broken the law or otherwise acted improperly,” the group said. (Dana Sioson/AJPress)

Groped Me Without My Consent, And There’s Nothing Funny About It.” She details a time in December 2006 when she — then a model — was on her ninth tour with the United Services Organization (USO) to entertain the troops in Afghanistan. Franken, who was still a working comic and not yet a senator, was the troupe’s headliner. Franken, a former “Saturday Night Live” writer and performer, “had written some skits for the show and brought props and costumes to go along with them,” Tweeden wrote. “Like many USO

shows before and since, the skits were full of sexual innuendo geared toward a young, male audience.” She continued, “As a TV host and sports broadcaster, as well as a model familiar to the audience from the covers of FHM, Maxim and Playboy, I was only expecting to emcee and introduce the acts, but Franken said he had written a part for me that he thought would be funny, and I agreed to play along.” The skit Franken wrote for Tweeden required his character to come at the then-model for a kiss,

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Duterte warns of revolutionary gov’t if...

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prefers to declare a revolutionary government instead of martial law, as the latter has “many restrictions.” He went on to say, “I will take it to the hilt. So do not do something that will cause or even attempt to topple [the] government, I will not allow that.” Last month, Duterte warned that he would not hesitate to set up a revolutionary government in order to avert the country from falling into chaos amid the alleged destabilization efforts by his political enemies. The president accused then that the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the elite, the ter-

rorists, and even the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), were working on his ouster. “’Pag ang destabilization ninyo patagilid na at medyo magulo na (If your destabilization slips into chaos), I will not hesitate to declare a revolutionary government until the end of my term,” Duterte told state-run television network PTV 4 last October 13. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, however, has repeatedly claimed that there were no current destabilization threats against the president. Critics have accused Duterte of wanting to extend his term by declaring a revolutionary government, but the president has repeat-

edly denied seeking to perpetuate himself to power. Misquoted Duterte also accused the media of chopping his statements on their news reports and leaving out his conditions on declaring a revolutionary government. “[A] revolutionary [government]? Then we should have a revolution first. Until there is a revolution, that’s unlikely,” Duterte clarified. “It wasn’t an outright statement that we should establish a revolutionary government. What I said… they (media) would really cut my message. That’s why I said I won’t engage on media’s whims,” he added. n

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november 24-30, 2017 • norCAL ASIAn JoUrnAL

Sen. Franken accused of groping...

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but Tweeden suggested she turn her head at the last minute “to get more laughs from the crowd.” Before the show, they rehearsed the skit alone backstage where Franken insisted they rehearse the kiss. She ignored him, but he kept insisting to which she told him, “‘Relax Al, this isn’t SNL...we don’t need to rehearse the kiss.” He persisted they rehearse everything, making her uncomfortable. She reluctantly agreed, and when it came in time for the kiss, he “put his hand on the back of my head, mashed his lips against mine and aggressively stuck his tongue in my mouth,” Tweeden wrote. Soon after this incident, Tweeden avoided Franken for the rest of the tour. She said that he attacked her with petty insults, “including drawing devil horns on at least one of the headshots I was autographing for the troops.” In another instance on the 36hour flight back to Los Angeles, Tweeden, wearing a helmet and flak jacket bearing her name, fell asleep on the C-17 cargo plane where Franken groped her breasts for a photo without her consent. “I felt violated all over again.

Embarrassed. Belittled. Humiliated,” Tweeden said upon discovering the lewd photo. “How dare anyone grab my breasts like this and think it’s funny?” At the time, Tweeden only told a few people, including her husband. For years, she wanted to tell her story but was worried that it may affect her career. What made her change her mind was when California Rep. Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo) was a guest for “McIntyre in the Morning” a few weeks ago when she recounted when she was sexually assaulted as a congressional aide in an experience similar to Tweeden’s. Tweeden now felt compelled to tell her story, saying, “I had locked up those memories of helplessness and violation for a long time, but they all came rushing back to me and my hands clinched into fists like it was yesterday.” One day after the news broke on KABC, Franken told reporters, “I certainly don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leeann. As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn’t. I shouldn’t have done

Dateline USa

it.” On Friday, November 17, he issued a statement where he said, “The first thing I want to do is apologize: to Leeann, to everyone else who was part of that tour, to everyone who has worked for me, to everyone I represent, and to everyone who counts on me to be an ally and supporter and champion of women. There’s more I want to say, but the first and most important thing—and if it’s the only thing you care to hear, that’s fine—is: I’m sorry.” Franken, who expressed shame over his behavior, added that if an ethics investigation were to go forth on his conduct, he “will gladly cooperate.” Tweeden has since said that she only came forward her with her story to shed a light on the rampant sexual misconduct that permeates many professional environments. Since the story of the downfall of Harvey Weinstein (who was accused by several hundred women of sexual misconduct and rape) in October, many have come out and told their own stories of sexual assault and harassment by many men in power. n

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MEETING OF THE MINDS. Senate Majority Leader Vicente C. Sotto III with Senators Manny Pacquiao and Gregorio Honasan welcome the delegation from Ethics Council of Regional Representatives of Indonesia. The three senators, as members of Senate Ethics Committee, exchanged ideas and best practices with the Indonesian representatives. Senate photo by Ramon A. Lopez

Bill to stop outsourcing of American jobs passes Judiciary Committee Closes loopholes in H-1B Visa system WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Darrell Issa’s (R-Vista) bill was recently approved by the House Judiciary Committee, a legislation he introduced to curb abuse of the nation’s H-1B Visa system and stop the outsourcing of American jobs. His bill, the Protect and Grow American Jobs Act, closes loopholes used by outsourcing companies to undercut American workers with cheaper workers brought in under H-1B, as seen in recent high-profile cases and highlighted in a recent “60 Minutes” profile. By curtailing abuse, the reforms approved ensure that employers seeking to recruit highskilled workers through H-1B are not crowded out in the application process by outsourcers gaming the system. The changes ensure that the limited slots under H-1B will instead be available for their intended purpose: to help American companies recruit employees with special skillsets not available in the United States. “Highly skilled individuals that come to America through the H-1B visa program add tremendous value to the U.S. economy. We have a responsibility to ensure this important program isn’t being abused by employers to undercut American jobs,” said Congressman Darrell Issa. “Unfortunately, loopholes in the program have allowed a small

handful of employers to game the system to displace American workers and crowd out others who legitimately need the limited slots available to recruit individuals with unique skillsets not available here at home. The Protect and Grow American Jobs Act is a common-sense update that will go a long way to protecting American workers while helping companies access to the talent they need to grow their businesses and create new jobs here in America.” The legislation approved by the Judiciary Committee includes compromise language negotiated by Congressman Darrell Issa on a bipartisan basis. Among other changes, the bill: • Updates wage requirements to better align with local market averages. The legislation replaces both the $60,000 wage exemption and the advanced degree exemption in favor of a new formula that is equal to the lesser of $135,000 or the mean wage for applicants’ occupation in their area (but subject to a floor of no less than $90,000). The bill would also require the wage levels in this formula to be indexed for inflation over time. • Increases accountability for H-1B employers. H-1B dependent employers currently need to merely “attest” that they’ve taken good faith effort to recruit U.S. workers before seeking an

H-1B visa for the open position. Under the new legislation, H-1B employers would be required to submit detailed a recruitment report summarizing the steps they have taken to recruit U.S. workers; the number of U.S. workers who applied for the job; the number of such workers who were offered the job, whether the workers accepted the offer, and for each worker who was not offered the job, the reason why the job was not offered. • Bolsters transparency of the program. The legislation would require the Secretaries of Labor and Homeland Security to annually publish a report on the use of the H-1B program including lists of H-1B dependent employers, occupations, wages, worksites and the status of any on-going or completed investigations into misuse of H-1B programs. • Improves oversight of H1B dependent employers. The legislation authorizes the Department of Labor to conduct periodic investigations of H-1B dependent employers and requires the Department of Labor to review at least five percent of such employers annually. It also ensures that current H-1B penalties, including fines and debarment from the H-1B program, can be levied against any H-1B dependent employer that uses the program to displace American workers. n

Defrocked priest in US arrested in... PAGE A1 t

Amerika. Nagpaalam siya dun na magbabakasyon siya sa Pilipinas (He knew of the warrant of arrest release in America. He said that he would be going on vacation to the Philippines),” said Laguna Provincial Intelligence Branch chief, Superintendent Vic Cabatingan, according to GMA News. According to Laguna police who said they received a tip regarding Sayasaya’s location, the former Catholic priest had been changing his name and residence for the past 15 years. His warrant of arrest was released in 2002. “Kaya nga nagkaroon tayo ng tracking dito. Nagkaroon tayo ng validation sa address na binigay sa warrant of arrest, wala siya dun. So trinack-down natin kasi may mga kakilala siya, hanggang ma-landing natin sa Barangay Looc, Calamba City (So we did a tracking here. We got validation at the address given in the warrant of arrest,

he was not there. So we tracked him down because he had a lot of acquaintances, until we landed in Barangay Looc, Calamba City),” said Cabatingan. In 2012, the United States’ Court of Appeals (CA) First Division approved a lower court’s order for Sayasaya’s extradition in 2012. He had been charged in the District Court East Central Judicial District in Cass County, North Dakota. “It is… in the interest of civilized communities that crimes should not go unpunished. On this score, we cannot allow our country to be a haven for fugitives, cowards, and weaklings, who, instead of facing the consequences of their actions choose to run and hide,” said the CA decision. The Manila City Regional Trial Court (RTC) on December 28, 2010 found probable cause to grant the request of the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) to extradite Sayasaya who then attempted to challenge it.

In a 23-page ruling, the CA through Associate Justice Amy Lazar-Javier denied Sayasaya’s petition of reversal and said the evidence against his alleged sexual offences “met the standard of probable cause”. The CA decision also reiterated that the RTC found the affidavit of detective Grey Clayton Warren of the Police Department of West Fargo, North Dakota, who investigated Sayasaya’s illegal acts, as valid. “This Court gives respect and credence to the foregoing factual findings, which are amply supported by the evidence on record,” said the appeals court. It also stated that the Philippine government “has an obligation to ensure crimes not go unpunished”. “Suppression of crimes is the concern not only of the state where it is committed but also of any other state to which the criminal may have escaped,” it added. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

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Martial law extension needs justification, says Drilon by Paolo

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — The possible extension of martial law in Mindanao will require credible justification before it can be approved by Congress, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said on Monday, Nov. 20. Drilon said Malacañang should go back to Congress armed with evidence to convince lawmakers that the martial law President Duterte declared over Mindanao

until the end of year should be extended. “Let us decide on the basis of evidence. They said the problem has already been addressed, but now they’re asking for an extension,” Drilon said over dzBB. Drilon is among four senators who voted against the extension of martial law in July, which included Senators Risa Hontiveros, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV and Francis Pangilinan. He said he is reserving judgment on the matter until Duterte

formally seeks the approval of the Senate and the House of Representatives in a joint session and his Cabinet present their arguments. He said under the Constitution, the power to possibly extend martial law rests on Congress. Drilon said Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar’s statement that the Armed Forces’ proposal to extend martial law was “deemed accepted” by Duterte has weight as far as the executive branch is concerned. n

Revolutionary gov’t would be just as ‘abusive’ as war on drugs, says Pangilinan by PathRicia

ann V. Inquirer.net

Roxas

one and the same,” he added. Pangilinan said democracy, THE revolutionary government freedom of the press, and freedom that President Rodrigo Duterte has of speech would be curtailed unbeen threatening to impose would der a revolutionary government. be as “abusive” as his war against “No more safety in life and drugs, Sen, Francis “Kiko” Pang- livelihood from corrupt police ofilinan said on Monday, Nov. 20. ficials. No more elections because “Just like the excessively abusive there will only be term extension war against drugs, rev gov will be for incumbents and appointments abusive as well,” Pangilinan said. to the obsequious in politics. No “Rev gov and dictatorship are more hindrance to sell our lands

and seas to China,” he added. Pangilinan said those who oppose the government and Duterte would be “imprisoned so that no one can express dissent to wrongdoings.” The senator issued the statement a month after Duterte warned he would declare a revolutionary government if his critics’ alleged attempts to destabilize his administration would escalate. n

Duterte asks for MILF’s patience on BBL passage

PH vote vs UN resolution on Rohingya defended

by alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte appealed for patience from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as Congress deliberates on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. Duterte noted that the BBL, which aims to implement the 2014 peace agreement between the government and the MILF, has to undergo a process before it is realized. “I hope that the BBL guys, MILF would understand that in a democracy there is always a process, and sometimes it gets very hard to just move,” the president said. “Especially, with the sentiments involved, this will not entail an automatic vote for no or yes, but I am asking for their patience,” he added. Duterte stressed that the passage of BBL, which aims to form a Bangsamoro political entity in Mindanao with enhanced autono-

my, remains a “personal commitment.” “The most that I can really assure you is it would be a federal system where we do not lose control. “We are waiting for the BBL. Actually, it’s a commitment. That’s the centerpiece of my campaign, actually was Mindanao. Because if you are not going to fix it, I said, there is trouble,” he added. The executive branch transmitted the BBL draft to the House of Representatives and the Senate last August. Duterte said failure to pass the BBL and adopt federalism could lead to a “fractured” Mindanao. “I have been very frank with you. Ever since during the campaign, I thought there’s a looming of dark clouds also that would involve the Moro of Mindanao,” he said. Last month, Duterte warned that Mindanao would be plagued with more rebellion if the type of government is not changed from unitary to federal.

by Paolo

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday defended the country’s vote against a United Nations (UN) resolution urging Myanmar to end its military campaign Rohingya Muslims living in its Rakhine state. The Philippines was among 10 nations — Belarus, Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Russia, Syria, Vietnam and Zimbabwe — that did not vote for the resolution of the UN General Assembly’s human rights committee. The committee expressed alarm over the violence and “disproportionate use of force by the Myanmar military” against the Rohingya. There were 135 countries that voted for the measure and 26 abstained. Cayetano said the Philippines has been actively involved in UN deliberations on the Rohingya issue, wherein the dis-

MEN AT WORK. Sundays seem to be a perfect choice to do road repairs because of lighter traffic. This exactly is what Department of Public Works and Highways personnel opt as they do some asphalt overlay along Commonwealth Avenue in Barangay Old Balara, Quezon City on Sunday, Nov. 19. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

cussions primarily centered on the humanitarian assistance needed by the displaced people and addressed the root causes of the crisis. He said the Philippines put forward its position for Myanmar to quickly exert efforts to return the situation to normal and undertake earnest talks with Bangladesh to stop violence on all sides. He noted there were many acts of violence “left and right.” The crisis, Cayetano said, was also discussed during the meeting of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders in Manila last week, which was chaired by the Philippines. “Our options were ‘no’ and ‘abstain.’ Why is a yes not an option? First, we’re chairman of the ASEAN and usually we want to resolve things with the ASEAN set,” Cayetano told journalists at the Senate. “I can assure all of you, our heart goes out to those affected, we are doing what we can

to help them,” he said. He said if the Philippines voted “yes,” the Myanmar leadership could harden its position and the efforts of the ASEAN as well as of non-government organizations in resolving the crisis would be adversely affected. “We don’t just look at the title. If we think the issue is being politicized, we don’t support it,” he said. Cayetano said the Philippines respects other ASEAN members if they do not agree with the 10 countries that voted no. He described the crisis as a complex issue. “What’s more important for us now is for the humanitarian assistance to come in. it’s a unique process that we have,” Cayetano said. Detained Sen. Leila de Lima said she did not find it surprising that the Philippines voted no as the Duterte administration is confronted by international criticisms over its drug-

related extrajudicial killings. “I suspect that the real reason for the government’s ‘no’ vote is not out of diplomacy, but out of fear,” De Lima said. “It fears that a mirror will be held to its face and it will be made to see how monstrously it has been treating its own people.” “It knows that it has lost any moral ascendancy to call out state abuses being committed against its own people. It is not a case of calculated diplomacy, but a case of people saying nothing when they dance with the devil,” De Lima added. Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said that by not supporting the UN resolution, the Philippines might also be considered as a human rights violator. CBCP Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said the Rohingya have suffered a lot and they have lived a long time in Myanmar. They should be considered as citizens.

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Alvarez to endorse Aguirre’s inclusion in PDP-Laban Senate slate pino-Lakas ng Bayan. “I will highly recommend the inclusion of Secretary Vit AguMANILA — House Speaker irre in the ticket of the adminPantaleon Alvarez on Monday, istration–in PDP,” Alvarez told Nov. 20, said he would endorse reporters. the inclusion of Justice Secretary Alvarez said Aguirre is fit to Vitaliano Aguirre II to the 2019 become a senator as becoming senatorial slate of the ruling par- one would further help President ty, Partido Demokratikong Pili- Rodrigo Duterte. by Rosette

Adel

Philstar.com

The House speaker said the lower chamber of the 17th Congress has approved over a hundred bills but the Senate only enacted 10 endorsed bills into laws during the First Regular Session. Alvarez added that the House sent to the Senate 70 approved bills for the opening of the Second Regular Session.

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Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II Philstar.com photo

He shared that he already informed Aguirre about his nomination and the justice secretary just responded with a smile. Last Friday, Nov. 17, Alvarez named presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson among the eyed senatorial bets of PDP-Laban in 2019. Alvarez also mentioned the inclusion of: Rep. Karlo Nograles (Davao City), Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Negros Occidental), Rep. Geraldine Roman (Bataan) and former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino. He clarified that PDP-Laban officers would decide on the party’s final line-up for the 2019 mid-term polls. Alvarez said Senate President and PDP-Laban President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel is automatically included in the slate as he is set to lead the party’s bid for the elections. (Rosette Adel/Philstar. com)

TRAVEL TRADE & CONSUMER MULTI-CITY ROADSHOWS PROMOTING TOURISM, TRADE, AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE USA AND PHILIPPINES.

FREE EYE CHECK-UP. A resident gets an eye check-up for no out-of-pocket cost during the forum, “Konsultasyon at Talakayan Hinggil sa Disabilidad at Karapatan”, held at the multipurpose hall of Barangay Pinyahan in Quezon City. The forum was held as part of government measures to address the rights of persons with disabilities. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

Duterte on Mocha as Senate bet: ‘Let the people decide’ by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte is leaving it to the public to judge his party’s possible 2019 senatorial line-up announced last week by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. A partial list of the possible senatorial bets of the ruling PDPLaban party contained the names of Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, presidential political adviser and former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino, Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman and Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez. PDP-Laban President and Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has clarified that the ruling party has not yet made a final decision on the matter. Asked last Saturday if he has spoken to Alvarez about the possible senatorial ticket, Duterte said: “Let the people decide. It’s not a one-man story or critique. Let the people decide. If they like it that way, then that’s it. It will be honored by all, including the military and the police.” “If that’s the choice of the Filipino, you might not like her; her ways might not suit your values. But if that guy or woman is elected by the people, then you have to honor that choice,” he added. Pressed if he had a personal choice to become candidate for senator, Duterte said he wanted someone who can help Filipinos by lowering food prices and ensuring adequate food supply.

Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson Malacañang photo

“Whoever can help his fellow Filipino and who has the best of the ideas, I might get them or I might also nominate them. It’s a party decision so maybe just a give and take there,” he added. Duterte went on to mention Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol and Agriculture Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat as possible senatorial candidates. The two were with Duterte during last Saturday’s launch of the Tienda farmers and fisherfolk outlets in Davao City. Piñol said Duterte floated his name as a possible senatorial bet in jest. “He (Duterte) was just joking. Also, I told him I would like to remain as agriculture secretary and retire after his presidency,” Piñol told The STAR in a text message Sunday. Roque has said that he does not have the resources to launch a senatorial campaign. Uson has admitted being offered to run for senator but maintained that only Duterte could convince her to do so. n

AUGUST 2018

PNP Chief Ronald de la Rosa

ManilaTimes.net photo

PNP chief wants drug war budget used vs terror by RJ

CARbonell ManilaTimes.net

The Asian Journal Media Group, now on its 27th year in business, is a leading ethnic multimedia agency serving the global Filipino industry. Asian Journal publishes over 7 million weekly community newspapers annually in the USA from California, Nevada, New York, to New Jersey. In addition to this, the Asian Journal also publishes a quarterly magazine that is distributed in 60 countries and 101 cities throughout the World. Complementing these frequent print publications are a variety of digital channels such as AsianJournal.com, BalikbayanMag.com, and LoveOfCounry.ph. As an extension of that core mission, the Asian Journal, in cooperation with the Philippine Departments of Tourism (DOT), and Trade and Industry (DTI), is organizing multi-city “Travel, Trade, and Consumer Roadshows” to connect the US and Philippine markets together. These events are in line with the “Balikbayan Program” of the Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and the “One Town, One Product” of the DTI. The organizers collectively aim to ignite, drive, and fuel business-to-business, government-to-business, and business-to-consumer networking while showcasing and promoting tourism, investment, studying abroad, philanthropy, and retirement in the Philippines.

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PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa is in favor of Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito’s proposal to transfer the police’s drug war budget to anti-terrorism efforts. “Senator JV Ejercito, our budget sponsor, proposed that instead of using the budget to focus on the war on drugs, it should be used in anti-terrorism, which is okay because we can’t afford to have a repeat of the Marawi siege,” de la Rosa told reporters. This was in response to Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon’s proposal to divert instead the P1.4-billion drug war budget to the housing needs of the policemen, in addition to the existing P1.6-billion allocation. “While I admire both proposals, in my opinion, I would rather cater to the pressing needs of the community which is safety and security more than the needs of my policemen,” de la Rosa said. “So I prefer the proposal to have it diverted toward the antiterrorism campaign of the PNP,” de la Rosa added. De la Rosa nonetheless commended Drilon for his suggestion. “I really admired [Drilon] yesterday, because even if he is a critic of the PNP’s war on drugs, he still looks after the welfare of the police force,” he said.

However, some senators do not want to touch the drug war budget, just in case President Rodrigo Duterte orders the PNP to lead the anti-drug operations anew, de la Rosa said. In case the PNP is brought back to the drug war, the police will have body cameras to allow transparency and avoid abuses. “If we were brought to the war on drugs, we would purchase the body cameras,” de la Rosa said. The PNP chief on Friday admitted there had been a spike in rape cases, and the drug trade came back with a vengeance, after the police were taken off the war on drugs. In October, de la Rosa officially terminated anti-illegal drug operations under “Oplan Tokhang” and “Oplan Double Barrel,” under heavy international and local pressure amid the killings of thousands of suspects. The killings of three teenagers, Kian Loyd de los Santos, Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman, in August sparked public outrage and drew widespread condemnation. “Oplan Double Barrel” had two objectives: first, going after high-value targets or big-time drug dealers, and second, “Oplan Tokhang” wherein policemen supposedly only knocked on the houses of drug suspects to convince them to surrender. Based on PNP records, at least 3,800 people were killed in anti-drug operations.

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China, ASEAN sign 10-year pact on marine protection by Janvic

Mateo Philstar.com

ART DIALOGO ‘17. Angono Mayor Gerardo Calderon leads the ceremonial ribbon cutting and launching of Art Dialogo 2017, held at SM Center Angono, Rizal. Art Dialogo is an international platform that is initiated by a budding organization called Art Dialogo Asia, which aims to promote culture and tourism in arts. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

With new head, CBCP sees smoother ties with Duterte

MANILA — China has agreed to work with its Southeast Asian neighbors to protect marine and coastal biodiversity in the South China Sea. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recently released a copy of the declaration on a 10-year coastal and marine environment protection in the South China Sea signed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The declaration, which sets 2017 to 2027 as the Decade for Protection of Coastal and Marine Environment in the South China Sea, was among the documents approved in the recently concluded ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Manila last week. It was signed by the leaders during the 20th ASEAN-China Summit, held on Nov. 13 in

time with the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. The declaration on biodiversity protection was on top of the agreement between ASEAN and China for the crafting of a Code of Conduct in the disputed waters. In the declaration, the leaders of ASEAN and China recognized the need to continue developing and sustaining environmentally-friendly mechanisms to mitigate the effects of climate change and transboundary marine environmental pollution and degradation. They noted that the current environmental situation in the South China Sea requires collective attention and action to protect the marine ecosystem and biodiversity, including coral reefs, cold water habitats, hydrothermal vents and seamounts. “(We emphasize) the need to promote responsible fish-

ing practices, environmentally friendly fishing methods and combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, to ensure sustainable fishery resources and achieve food security,” read the declaration. “(We recognize) the importance of protecting the South China Sea as a natural resource base for economic and social development for the present and future generations and recognizing the benefits that would be gained from having the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability and prosperity,” it added. China is facing criticisms over its land reclamation activities in disputed waters, which experts said had extensively damaged the marine biodiversity and ecosystem in the South China Sea. Its fishermen also regularly harvest giant clams, corals and other endangered and protected marine species from areas in the South China Sea. n

by edu

Punay Philstar.com

MANILA — Will the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) tone down its criticisms against the administration of President Duterte under a new leadership? A CBCP official thinks this is possible as they hope for a “friendlier” relationship with the administration upon assumption of Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles of the top CBCP post next month. Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the CBCP public affairs committee, said the conference may be expected to change its approach on critical issues, such as the extrajudicial killings (EJKs), under Valles who is known to have close ties with the President, former long-time mayor of Davao City. “We are hoping for a smooth relationship. President Duterte’s friendship with Archbishop Valles may play a part in it,” the priest said in an interview. Secillano, however, quickly clarified that the CBCP would remain critical of various issues, especially those concerning the sanctity of life.

In this Aug. 27, 2016 file photo, President Rodrigo Duterte greets Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles while attending a 50th wedding anniversary rite at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Davao City. Malacañang photo

“We have to remember that a change in CBCP leadership doesn’t mean a change in stand on issues such as EJK, same-sex marriage, divorce, or death penalty,” he stressed. “What may change perhaps is the approach, tone, and strategy in tackling those issues,” Secillano hinted. Valles and other new CBCP officials will assume their posts on Dec. 1 and will serve a

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two-year term until November 2019. The prelate succeeds CBCP president Archbishop Socrates Villegas, who led the CBCP as one of the most vocal critics of the Duterte administration’s bloody war against drugs after it resulted in thousands of perceived EJK cases. The Church, in turn, has received tirades from Duterte himself and his supporters.

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Rehabilitating criminals THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has scrapped a plan to set up a mega prison facility in Nueva Ecija. The DOJ estimated that such a facility would cost some P150 billion over 20 years. Instead, according to DOJ officials, the funds earmarked for the facility would be used to construct additional prison buildings in existing penal colonies and another regional prison in Pangasinan or one of the Ilocos provinces. Building additional prisons around the country would make it easier for people to visit incarcerated relatives, DOJ officials said. They have apparently taken into account the case of the mega rehabilitation facility donated to the government by controversial Chinese tycoon Huang Rulun. The 10,000-bed center in Laur, Nueva Ecija remains underutilized. The former head of the Dangerous Drugs Board attributed this to the inaccessibility of the facility to families with members needing drug rehabilitation. The facility may be converted into an academy for drug enforcement units, with smaller rehabilitation centers instead set up in other parts of the country. This is the same approach now being considered by the DOJ in constructing more national prisons. While the department ponders its final move, the government should also consider building additional local jails, which are under the Department

of the Interior and Local Government’s jail management bureau and provincial governments. Local jails were already congested even before the Duterte administration launched its intensified crackdown on illegal drugs. The system was not prepared for the flood of drug suspects tossed behind bars, apart from those arrested for other offenses. The government may also consider constructing additional prisons for women as well as special facilities for juvenile offenders and those convicted of white-collar crimes. The state must make it clear that crime does not pay. Many convicted criminals, however, deserve a second chance to become productive members of society. Alongside punishment, the thrust of modern penology is corrections. This starts with the provision of adequate prison facilities. (Philstar. com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantoS-ReloS HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY! Amid the stress at work and at home, preparing for a Thanksgiving feast, planning for Black Friday shipping, thinking about the Christmas holidays and gift-giving, our year-end review of goals met and those still pending, the bank, credit card, auto, rent and mortgage payments, tuition fees, money to be sent to help family back in the Philippines — the list goes on and on... and we feel overwhelmed by them all that we forget the very essence of Thanksgiving Day. Of course, as a nation, this hol-

Thanksgiving challenge: What is your gratitude inventory? iday is meant to collectively give thanks for our liberty, freedom, and graces we receive as one people in this great experiment that is America. But this day is also a perfect time to slow down and reflect about the things we are thankful for in our own lives. Unfortunately, this ritual of counting our blessings has been taking a back seat as we worry about life. So this week, let me share with you this “gratitude inventory” that I got from Psychology Today, written by Dr. Barton Goldsmith, and challenge you to make your own gratitude inventory. Are you up to it? Here it goes: “As Thanksgiving approaches, I think it’s important to take a gratitude inventory. A number of things in life can make us

PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s critics claim that he lacks a comprehensive approach to Asia. In reality, his current approach is aligned with moderate ‘America First’ goals. But what did Trump really achieve in Asia? While former President Barack Obama’s Asia pivot was based on multilateral trade agreements, which were mainly geopolitical and predicated on exclusionary politics against China, Trump’s interest is in bilateral trade deals, which are fueled by U.S. exports, foreign investments in U.S. jobs and foreign purchases of American military weaponry. That’s what Trump was after in the grueling 12-day Asia tour. Deals with Japan Outside of North America, Japan is America’s third-largest export market and second-largest source of imports. Japanese firms are the second-largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the U.S., and Japanese investors are the largest foreign holders of U.S. treasuries. After Trump withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the White House’s focus has been on a redefined bilateral trade deal with Japan that would also include significant arms deals. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pursues controversial strategic initiatives, including re-militarization, the U.S.-style security legislation, and re-nuclearization. However, the share of Japanese trade covered by free trade deals or economic partnership agreements remains less than a third now (and

uncomfortable or even a little miffed. But sometimes they are gifts in disguise. With that in mind, here are my top ten things to be thankful for. 1. Be thankful for growing older. Not everyone gets this opportunity. Aging with health and grace is a rare and beautiful gift. 2. Be thankful that you can read these words. It is a very sad thing that many people do not have the ability to read. 3. If you have to wait in line at the supermarket for your Thanksgiving dinner, be thankful that you can afford what you want to eat and have a convenient place to buy it. We are all aware of the many people waiting in line to have a meal at the local homeless shelter. 4. Be thankful for the ability

to pay your bills, even if it means that you have to give up some things that you want. Remember that having basic needs met is a luxury for many people. 5. If you have to get up before dawn to get to work, be thankful that you get to see another sunrise and have a job to go to. Think about what it would be like if you slept everyday until noon and spent the rest of your waking hours wondering what to do with your life. 6. When you’re stuck in traffic, be thankful you have a car to get where you need to go and money to buy gas. Standing in the rain while waiting for a bus is, at the very least, uncomfortable. 7. When the kids are screaming at each other, be thankful that you have children to love

Trump’s Asia strategy

Commentary

Dan Steinbock

Philstar.com photo

would only rise to 34 percent even with the EU deal), which is half of that of South Korea (68 percent). Also, Japan lacks deals with its largest trade partners, China and the U.S., as well as India. With his quest for a bilateral trade deal with Japan, Trump wants more U.S. exports and arms sales to Tokyo, and Japan’s military buys from Pentagon. Abe seeks a trade deal to assist support structural reforms at home and U.S. security assurances against China. Tensions with South Korea Since the 1950s, the Mutual Defense Treaty has allowed the U.S. to dominate South Korea’s defense. However, after the Park impeachment, South Korea opted for a strategic U-turn in economy and strategic relations. Elected in May 2017, President Moon Jaein supports the U.S. anti-missile system (THAAD) and sanctions against North Korea, but only as long as it may bring Pyongyang to the negotiating table. South Korea is the U.S.’ seventh-largest trading partner and the U.S. is South Korea’s secondlargest trading partner. The two economies are joined by the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). While the Trump administration has stated its intent to review and renegotiate the deal, it has not specified what it would like to amend. During his visit, Trump offered strategic security assurances in return for deals that would generate more jobs in the U.S. and reduce the bilateral trade deficit. South Korea is likely to purchase advanced strategic assets, including nuclear-powered submarines and reconnaissance assets. Strategic patience with China In East Asia, Trump’s priori-

ties are secondary to his China agenda. In 2016, U.S.-China trade amounted to $579 billion, while Trump’s focus is on the $368 billion trade deficit. Yet, merchandise trade is only one aspect of the bilateral economic relationship. China is America’s fourth largest services trading partner, third-largest services export market, and U.S. has a major services trade surplus with China. The combined annual U.S.China investment passed $60 billion in 2016, and China remains the second-largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasury securities ($1.2 billion as of August 2017), which help keep U.S. interest rates low. In Beijing, Trump’s more moderate approach toward China paid off, as evidenced by the historic $254 billion deals. Some of these buys, including Boeing’s $37 billion aircraft order, were negotiated previously, while other pacts extend over long periods, including a 20-year shale gas and chemical project in West Virginia. Nevertheless, the volume of bilateral deals will ease tension between Washington and Beijing for some time to come. Tributary deals with ASEAN Trump seeks to renegotiate many of the existing trade deals. So, several Association of Southeast Asian Nations (SEAN) countries that were not included in the current tour sought to preempt pressures. During a recent visit, Premier Najib Razak announced that Malaysia’s national pension and provident funds would invest several billion dollars in equity and infrastructure projects in the U.S. Prime Minister Prayut Chanocha promised Thailand would buy Blackhawk and Lakota helicopters, a Cobra gunship, Harpoon

missiles and F-16 fighter jet upgrades, plus 20 new Boeing jetliners for Thai Airways. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong showcased Singapore Airlines’ deal with Boeing for buying 39 B787 and B777-9 aircraft. That is the regional way to offer dollar-tribute to the US hegemon. ‘Strategic partnership’ with Vietnam While Obama’s goal was to push a “strategic partnership” with Vietnam, Trump’s objectives are more economic. Following the post-1986 Vietnamese economic reforms and U.S. extension of normal trade relations (NTR) status in 2001, bilateral trade soared from $220 million in 1994 to $45 billion in 2015, which has turned Vietnam into the 13th largest source for U.S. imports (but only 37th largest destination for US exports). According to Trump, the U.S. got a $12 billion order from Boeing, but critics claim that the deal with Vietnam’s VietJet airline was a result of Obama’s visit in 2016. Nevertheless, Trump sees Vietnam as a deficit risk and the latter sees the U.S. as a captive of agricultural interests. Obama and his Pentagon dreamed of permanent U.S. military installations in Vietnam. Trump might concede – if the price is right. Strategic continuity with the Philippines During the Aquino III years (2010-16), increasing cooperation with the U.S. resulted in the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), the return of US forces, rearmament supported by the Pentagon and the escalation of maritime conflicts with China. However, close U.S. ties

and who love you, and remember that at least some of the time, they do get along. There will always be bumps in the road, but they are usually followed by easier times. 8. When your mate is acting grumpy or giving you a hard time, be thankful for having love in your life and someone to grow old with. A life partner is something that less than half the population has. Having your partner is a blessing that needs to be counted several times. 9. When your parents are telling you how to run your life, be thankful that you still have them around. If they are no longer with you, take a moment to be thankful for the time you had with them. 10. When you sit down with

your loved ones for your Thanksgiving dinner, be thankful for everyone and everything that makes it possible. Look your family and friends in the eye and express to them your gratitude for sharing this wonderful time together. Thanksgiving is a very special holiday. Embrace those around you and your ability to give thanks with the people you love.” WHAT IS YOUR GRATITUDE INVENTORY?? ***

also coincided with deep strategic dependency on U.S., economic polarization within the country and the spread of drugs, corruption and alleged “narco ties” with the pre-2016 regime. With Duterte, the U.S.-Philippine relationship has been subject to a recalibration and, at the end of the Obama era, alleged U.S. efforts at destabilization. Duterte’s sovereign foreign policy maintains U.S. security guarantees but benefits from economic ties with China. Now the Philippines is linked to China’s One Road One Belt (OBOR) initiative, which supports the government’s infrastructure program to triple the Philippine per capita incomes in the next 25 years. Concurrently, U.S.-Philippine tensions have been eased as Duterte has developed more constructive personal ties with the Trump White House. Free trade prospects Trump also attended the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Danang, Vietnam, followed by the 50th anniversary of Asean in Manila. While trade ministers from 11 countries announced they would push ahead with a TPP without the U.S., the latter is a shaky TPP lite that will serve as a face-saving measure to Japan and as a hedge option to other nations. The best APEC may hope for is long-term U.S.-Chinese cooperation for the Free Trade Area of Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), which focuses on trade and investment and has room for both the U.S. and China. In effect, the Asean nations’ integration plan AEC 2025, which would be undermined by a “America First” policy, stands to benefit from China’s OBOR plans, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment initiative (AIIP). New risks, new opportunities

Except for China, Trump’s Asian tour was largely a hard sell of military assets across the region. While the conventional wisdom is that Obama achieved America’s pivot to Asia, the reality is that the pivot was mainly military and sought strategic gains. This is why: During the Obama military pivot to Asia, Asia/Oceania received most of global imports (43 percent), according to SIPRI. The U.S. continues to dominate imports to its key security allies in Australia, Japan, and South Korea. But while the Obama pivot contributed to maritime conflicts in the region thus fueling demand for weapons, the Pentagon did not cash the profits. Instead, today Russia accounts for most arms deliveries to Asia and Oceania (37 percent), followed by the U.S. (27 percent) and China (10 percent). What about the economic realities? Trump said that the Asian tour generated “at least $300 billion worth of deals,” which will more than “triple in a fairly short period of time.” Yet, the bottom line is $253 billion from deals with China and perhaps a total of $300 billion — if ASEAN deals that were negotiated prior to the tour are included. That may be far more than any post-Cold War U.S. administration — including Clinton, Bush and Obama — ever achieved in Asia. If U.S.-Chinese economic ties prevail, China’s rebalancing and the rise of emerging Asia could contribute to far greater economic gains with the US and in the region. (ManilaTimes.net) ***

Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Dr Dan Steinbock is the founder of Difference Group and has served as research director at the India, China and America Institute (USA) and visiting fellow at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (China) and the EU Center (Singapore). For more, see https://www. differencegroup.net/

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY ournal

Your Immigration Solution

Immigrating as a fiancé(e)

submitted solely to avoid immigration requirements and enter the U.S. . Following the foreign nationDevin M. Connoly al’s entry into the U.S., they must anD nanCy Miller marry their petitioner within 90 days of entry. It does not matter IT is nearly a universal dream if this marriage is before many to be happily married. To be friends and family members or a with the person that you consmall civil ceremony, so long as sider to be your soul mate, the it occurs within 90 days of entry person with whom you can share to the U.S. After this timely marlife’s joys and happy moments. riage, the foreign national may Though this dream is not limited then proceed to file an applicato U.S. citizens, what is limited to tion for a green card. Yes, that U.S. citizens is the ability to file a entails more applications, more petition for their fiancé(e) to join documents, and likely a secthem in the U.S. This ability is ond interview, but the process extremely important because, should hopefully be more enjoyas anybody who has been in a able since now you are able to long-distance relationship can go through it while living in the tell you, telephone calls and text same house as your messages are just not beloved spouse. the same as seeing Finally, a fiancé(e) your significant other of a U.S. citizen may on a daily basis. also be eligible to It is commonly bring their children known that both U.S. with them to the U.S. citizens and lawful The children will permanent residents only be allowed to (green card holders) enter the U.S. if they can petition for their are unmarried and spouses to join them in under 21-years-old. the U.S. But if there is Immigrating to the U.S. with not a legal marriage between the chase an expensive airline ticket parties, green card holders are will not qualify you for an excep- a fiancé(e) visa can be complex. unable to petition their signifi- tion to the in-person meeting re- There are some unique aspects to K-1 visas about which many cant other. And no, neither the quirement. After the USCIS approves the people are unfortunately not duration of the relationship nor the strength of the commitment petition, the foreign national aware. Be sure to consult with is relevant. Only U.S. citizens must apply for the fiancé(e) visa. an experienced and knowledgemay file petitions for a fiancé(e)! Following submission of the ap- able immigration attorney so This petition is filed with the U.S. plication and required support- that you can be reunited with Citizenship and Immigration Ser- ing documents, the fiancé(e) will your significant other as soon as vice (USCIS). Once approved, be required to appear for a per- possible. *** it may lead to the issuance of sonal interview at the U.S. Ema fiancé(e) visa, commonly re- bassy in their home country. At Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the this interview, they will be ques- oldest, largest and most experienced ferred to as a K-1 visa. There are several require- tioned extensively by a Consular immigration firms in the United States ments that must be met by the Officer who must be convinced with offices in Pasadena, San Francisco, U.S. citizen petitioner and his that the relationship is not one Las Vegas, Manila and China. or her fiancé(e). The U.S. citi- that has been entered into solely Telephone: (800) 795-8009 zen petitioner and his or her to obtain immigration benefits. E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com fiancé(e) must intend to marry To assist in that determination, website: www.rreeves.com within 90 days of the foreign na- the Consular Officer will need *** tional’s entry to the U.S. This in- to see documentary evidence tention must be sincere; it is not of the true, actual relationship. The analysis and suggestions offered permissible for a person to enter The inability to submit sufficient in this column do not create a the U.S. simply to decide wheth- proof or correctly answer ques- lawyer-client relationship and are er they actually want to marry tions may lead the Consular Of- not a substitute for the personalized their petitioner. There also must ficer to deny the application for representation that is essential to not be any legal impediments to a fiancé(e) visa if they believe every case. (Advertising Supplement) marriage. This includes the re- that the application was being quirement that any and all prior marriages have been legally terminated through divorce, death or annulment. In addition, the U.S. citizen petitioner and his or her fiancé(e) must have met, in person, at least once in the two-year period preceding the filing of the petition. There are exceptions to this requirement if an in-person meeting would violate strict and long-established customs of either party’s foreign culture or social practice, or if the in-person meeting requirement would result in extreme hardship to the U.S. citizen petitioner. The mere inconvenience to have to travel to a foreign country, or to take time off from work or pur-

“ This intention must be sincere; it is not permissible for a person to enter the U.S. simply to decide whether they actually want to marry their petitioner.”

Volunteer banks can swap old bills — BSP File photo by Philstar by Lawrence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the public can exchange or swap old bills demonetized almost five months ago with volunteer banks. BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. issued Memorandum 2017 – 036 laying down the guidelines on the voluntary acceptance by banks of the new design series (NDS) banknotes from the general public for replacement or exchange with new generation currency (NGC) bills. He explained banks could act as agent of its clients in exchanging NDS banknotes with BSP in the performance of other banking services under Section

30 of Republic Act 8791 also known as the General Banking Law of 2000. Espenilla said the exchange may be undertaken according to the banks’ internal rules for operationalization. “Should a bank undertake NDS exchange with its clients, such bank shall likewise surrender all NDS banknotes to the BSP on or before Dec. 29,” he added. Late last month, the BSP’s Monetary Board allowed the exchange of NDS bills until Dec. 29 in response to numerous requests from the general public. Long queues have been a familiar site especially at the BSP complex in Malate, Manila since the extension was announced.

The BSP completed the demonetization of the NDS banknotes last June 30 after several deadline extensions. The NDS bills launched in 1985 lost its monetary value last July 1. The old design banknotes were no longer accepted in dayto-day transactions last Jan. 1 this year but were exchanged in banks and BSP offices. The original deadline was set on Dec. 31, 2016 but extended to March 31 and eventually to June 30 due to public clamor. The BSP launched the NGC banknotes in the market in 2010 replacing the NDS bills. The NGC series is user-friendly and allows easy identification of each denomination because

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‘PH growth to top 6% in medium term’

‘Risks, however, are increasingly weighted to the downside’ – BMI by MayveLin

U. carabaLLo ManilaTimes.net

PHILIPPINE economic growth is likely to stay strong over the next few years but downside risks appear to be rising, a Fitch Group unit said. “Although we remain positive on the Philippine economy over the medium term, underpinned

by strong demographic trends supporting savings, Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ strategy, and deeper economic ties with China and Japan, risks are increasingly weighted to the downside as the business environment deteriorates,” BMI Research said in a report released over the weekend. The 2017 gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast

for the Philippines was raised to 6.7 percent from 6.3 percent previously and BMI said” “We expect growth to average above 6 percent over the medium term, which is still a solid figure by regional and historical perspectives.” The revision followed last week’s announcement that the

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NOVEMBER 24-30, 2017 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Criminal convictions and immigration law

The CTV Files atty. lilli B. BaCuli WHAT makes a non-citizen deportable? An alien or noncitizen, including a lawful permanent resident (“green card” holder) is deportable for having a conviction relating to controlled substances. Title 8 U.S.C. Section 1227(a)(2)(B)(i) states: “Any alien who at any time after admission has been convicted of a violation of . . . any law or regulation of a State, the United States, or a foreign country relating to a controlled substance (as defined in section 802 of Title 21), other than a single offense involving possession for one’s own use of 30 grams or less of marijuana, is deportable. What counts as a “conviction” for immigration purposes? “The term “conviction” means, with respect to an alien, a formal judgment of guilt of the alien entered by a court or, if adjudication of guilt has been withheld, where – (i) a judge or jury has found the alien guilty or the

alien has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or has admitted sufficient facts to warrant a finding of guilt, and (ii) the judge has ordered some form of punishment, penalty, or restraint on the alien’s liberty to be imposed, including fine, court costs or probation. Immigration consequences of a drug conviction. A non-citizen alien will still have a drug conviction for immigration purposes even after a dismissal of his/her charges following completion of a drug diversion program or a DEJ. As such, a permanent resident/green card holder who is deportable can be stripped of his or her lawful status and permanently removed (deported) from the United States. A lawful permanent resident who agrees to plead guilty in exchange for probation or entry in a diversion program or a DEJ, even after dismissal of charges under PC 1000.3, will have a conviction and will be automatically deportable and inadmissible. Worse, since this will be considered a drug conviction, the green

cardholder will also be subject to mandatory immigration detention without bond. California residents often are detained in federal prisons in isolated areas in Arizona or Texas, far from family or counsel. This is because a diversion program or a DEJ is a conviction for immigration purposes in that there is a plea and some form of punishment and restraint. Thus, although California considers there to be no conviction if the court dismisses the charges based on the defendant completing DEJ requirements, the conviction still stands under immigration laws. To eliminate a conviction for immigration purposes, the plea must be withdrawn for cause, due to a legal defect in the underlying case. The Kelly Memorandum of February 20, 2017. On February 20, 2017, the Department of Homeland (DHS) Security Secretary John Kelly issued a new policy memorandum, announcing that DHS will no longer exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

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AS the year comes to a close, allow me to take you back in time to revisit some of the great moments in medical science which made possible the great strides man has made in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases that benefit all of us today. I had the privilege in 1972 to train as a fellow in Cardiac Surgery under one of the world’s giants in heart surgery, Dr. Denton A. Cooley, founder and surgeon-in-chief of the Texas Heart Institute in Houston. The management of heart diseases was still in the Dark Ages during my undergraduate years in the late 50s. Physicians then did not know how to treat heart diseases, much less, save the lives of patients with these ailments. Looking back, the physicians at that time did not even know that simple aspirin had any potential role in the prevention or treatment of heart attacks. Treatment was mainly symptomatic, using pain pills or pain shots. The most sophisticated pill was the nitrate pill, a vasodilator that “relaxes open” the coronary artery, since the “current” knowledge in physiology then said angina pectoris (chest pain) was due to spasm in the coronary arteries which supply the heart muscles with oxygen and nutrition. The first milestone that started it all was in 1628 when an English physician first described

L. Lucas

Inquirer.net

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“...In memory of one american soldier...” Part 1 of 2 the name of Stephen Davies (his one night and was robbed of his name was spelled with an e in the money. The ghost revealed desurname) was murdered at the tails about his murderer: his aslocation right smack dab where sailant’s name, the exact address the building stood. Details of a where he lived, describing him murder story flowed out of her as an old man by that time, lanlike a gusher. But then it came guishing in jail for other crimes to an abrupt halt when the door he committed and that the house to the room where the session where the murderer used to live was being held, for no appar- on J.P. Rizal Street in Makati ent reason, suddenly burst open. was eventually destroyed by fire. The medium snapped out of the He was asked about the name hypnotic trance feeling extreme- of his wife and where she lived, ly limp and exhausted as though questions upon questions which she had traveled many miles the ghost said were “not imporacross a desert. I stood up and tant” but pressed further, he with a nonchalant shrug of my said that his wife had remarshoulders calmly closed the door. ried and pleaded not to bother Dissatisfied with the aborted his wife anymore. He said that session, the group decided to he was not the only spirit hovhold another. Professor Tur- ering in the area and that there ingan was unavailable for the were many others. Asked about next session and I was drafted how he felt, he said that he was to act as medium, a role which lonely and that he just wants to I accepted on a lark and a dare. be remembered. Over and over There was a thunderstorm again, he said he wanted to be raging outside but I don’t re- remembered. He ignored quesmember much of what I said tions about his past brushing when I went on a trance. I do them aside for the one thing he remember feeling very light, as wanted — that he be rememthough weightless, while some- bered. His bones, he said, lay one gently whispered things to scattered and mixed with the soil my ear. Later, I learned that un- in the same area which was levder hypnotic suggestion, I was eled years earlier by a bulldozer. instructed to go back to 1945, The ghost of the dead soldier rethe year that the medium re- quested that a mass be said on vealed when the alleged murder a sunny day in his remembrance of the American soldier occurred. — a request the group readily I described the place as I saw granted him. Shortly after, the eeit — an open field, a moonless rie occurrences seemed to stop. night, quonset huts and a heavy (To be continued in next sense of foreboding in the air. week’s issue …) During the session, the same *** Stephen Davies revealed the Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP name of his murderer. He said he of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send was hit on the head by a piece of comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ wood while he was out on patrol asianjournalinc.com

Fascinating history (Part 1 of 2) blood circulation. Inspired by dian, invented the external heart that, these historical events fol- pacemaker. That same year, Willem Greatbatch introduced the lowed: 1706 - Raymond de Vieus- concept of an implantable (intersens, a French anatomy profes- nal) heart pacemaker. 1960 - The first self-contained sor, first described the structure of the heart’s chambers and ves- implantable heart pacemaker made by Medtronic was inserted sels. 1733 - Stephen Hales, an Eng- by W. C. Lillihei. Over the years, lish clergyman and scientist first this has been improved, made more versatile, smaller, better, measured blood pressure. 1816 - Rene T. H. Laennec, a and longer lasting. 1961 - J. R. Jude, an American French physician, invented the cardiologist, led a ream in perfirst stethoscope. 1903 - Eillem Einthoven, a forming the first external cardiac Dutch physician, developed the massage to re-start the heart, the foundation for today’s CPR. first electrocardiogram. 1960s - Denton A. Cooley of 1912 - James B. Herrick, an American physician, first de- Houston, Texas, rose to fame scribed heart disease resulting for his extraordinary dexterity from hardening of the arteries, a in performing thousands of confundamental concept that led to genital heart surgeries in infants, and for being the first to successthe modern therapy of today. 1938 - Robert E. Gross, an fully remove pulmonary emboli American surgeon, performed (clots in the lungs). 1965 - Michael De Bakey and the first heart surgery (closeAdrian Kantrowitz, American heart, not open-heart). 1951 - Charles Hufnagel, an surgeons, implanted mechaniAmerican surgeon, developed a cal devise to help the diseased plastic valve to repair the aortic heart. 1967 - Christian Barnard of valve. 1952 - F. John Lewis, an Amer- South Africa, performed the first ican surgeon, performed the first whole heart transplant from one person to another. successful open heart surgery. 1968 - Denton Cooley per1953 - John H. Gibbon, an American surgeon, introduced formed the first heart transplant the heart lung machine (which in the United States on a 47-yearhe published as a concept in old man, using a donor heart 1937) and first used this mechan- from a 15-year-old. The patient ical heart and “blood purifier” lived for 204 days. He had done to do the first “real open heart 22 heart transplants over the surgery” utilizing the heart lung next year, a record at the time. 1969 - Denton A. Cooley immachine, precursor of the modern day cardiopulmonary bypass planted the first artificial (mechanical) heart on a man to “tide machine. 1950 - John Hopps, a Canau PAGE B3

Business News Mutual funds in uphill fight to draw scam-weary PH investors by Daxim

Fax résumé to:

The curious case of Stephen C. Davis A ghost story

Monette aDeva Maglaya

JUST for kicks during my halcyon days as a full-time working /full-time grad student at the University of the Philippines long ago, I had agreed to act as medium for a séance or a hypnotic session to conjure or call the spirit or spirits that were causing a disturbance. I took over from another medium in a previous session weeks earlier conducted by a Jesuit priest from the Ateneo, Fr. Bulatao. There were repeated paranormal disturbances at the old building where I worked, a stone’s throw from the Institute of Mass Communication (now called by another name) where I was a grad student at night while working during the day as a full time research associate of what was then the Institute of Environmental Planning, now called the School of Urban & Regional Planning. That haunted building has been razed and there stands u PAGE CJ4 a newer multi-story building. At night, the custodian claimed that when all the rooms were locked up and no one was inside, there were eerie noises that would make the hair on the back of one’s neck stand on end. The occurrences were so frequent and so disruptive, ignoring them and pretending life was normal was no longer an option. Someone finally did something about it and called on Fr. Bulatao to help shed light on the mysterious goings-on at the institute. I simply avoided the rest rooms and steered away from isolated areas of the building and never stayed in the building past sundown. Professor Cynthia Turingan was the first medium. Under hypnosis, she revealed that an American soldier, an enlisted man, by

WE ARE

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FILIPINOS remain skeptical about putting their hard earned money in mutual funds, due in part to insufficient knowledge about these investment alternatives but also due to negative perception brought about by the collapse of pre-need firms over the last two decades. To counter this, the Philippine Investment Funds Association — an organization of mutual fund companies managing almost P300 billion in assets — urged industry stakeholders to redouble their efforts to make these investment schemes more attractive to the still relatively unsophisticated local market. “One of the biggest obstacles is the lack of knowledge and understanding on this kind of investment,” PIFA chair Ignacio Gimenez told the Inquirer in an interview. “Also, the idea of long term investing is very unpopular because of the fear brought about by the bankruptcy of lead-

ing pre-need companies in the 1990s and early 2000s.” He pointed out that “less than one percent” of Filipinos have investments in any type of securities whether stocks or bonds, while only 14 percent of local household members have bank accounts. Thirty percent of those who have bank accounts have their money in arrangements that earn “negligible” or no returns at all, he said. In contrast, as many as 50 percent of Americans have direct or indirect investments in the stock market, 33 percent of Singaporeans, a quarter of all Japanese and Australians, 18 percent of Malaysians and 17 percent of Hong Kong citizens. There is a very very small percentage of Filipino investors that are extremely sophisticated and knowledgeable in the investment world,” Gimenez said. “But as a nation, I would say Filipino’s are not yet investment conscious, lack sophistication or market savvy.” To address this situation, the

PIFA chair urged the government to help cultivate financial literacy among Filipinos through formal subjects in the educational curriculum. Fund manager Augusto Cosio Jr., who also heads PIFA’s education committee, said the problem is even deeper because even those local investors who invest in mutual funds have “trading mindsets” instead of adopting a long term horizon. “The average holding period we perceive is around 18 months, where statistically, equity investments have better risk to reward results in periods of 5 years or longer,” he said. “There is lack of understanding of the kind of temperament one has to acquire to be a good investor.” To address this situation, PIFA is asking the government to abolish the tax on buying or selling of stocks below P25,000, and for Congress to pass the Collective Investment Schemes Law which made it only until third reading in 2010, but was refiled last year. n

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Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ THANKSGIVING is when people step back and reflect on all of the wonderful things and events to be grateful for, and to give thanks to those people who played such a key role in helping us achieve them. At this Thanksgiving, I would like to once again give thanks to all of the people who have been so kind and supportive of me and my immigration law practice. Thank you to all of my clients. You are the reason I am able to remain in business. I also know how important your immigration matter is in your life and in the life of your family. I appreciate your trust and confidence in my office, in allowing us to handle such an important matter. Thank you to the entire Filipino community. I truly appreciate your warmth and support, and I thank you for all of your letters and emails telling me how you enjoy my articles and television show, Citizen Pinoy. I am happy to be of service to you, and I will continue to support Filipino events and causes. Thank you to ABS-CBN, TFC, and the entire crew of Citizen Pinoy, who share my vision of providing a public-service program to the Filipino community concerning immigration information. It makes me so proud

Community Journal

Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks and happy when people come up to me, saying they watch Citizen Pinoy every single week, and have learned so much from the real life stories and questions and answers presented. I thank all the crew of Citizen Pinoy for their hard work, dedication, and passion for this worthy public service. Thank you to all of our friends in the media, who through their prestigious publications, enabled us to reach those who need our services and inform the Filipino community about newsworthy immigration information. You serve as an avenue to help “BRING FAMILIES TOGETHER” and help “MAKE THE AMERICAN DREAM COME TRUE.” Thank you to my staff. Your tireless efforts and dedication to our clients are the main reasons we can continue to provide quality service to our many loyal clients. Thank you to my wife, Millie. People say that behind every successful man, there is a Filipina wife. After many years of marriage, I know it’s true. Words cannot express my gratitude for your help, support and dedication to our business. You are the “wind beneath my wings.” And most of all, thank you

to the Almighty. Without His blessings, benevolence, and guidance, none of this would be possible. May He allow me to continue to assist people with their problems, and allow the prayers of all people to be answered and fulfilled. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 24-30, 2017

CJ

A rollercoaster of emotions on a brand new ‘Citizen Pinoy!’ NORMA and Joy had to leave behind their autistic child Michael when they immigrated to the U.S. because he aged out. It was a very painful decision for the couple. Visits were also rare, as Norma also had to care for her blind mother and her father who had Parkinson’s Disease. In their desire to bring Michael over the soonest, Norma and Joy has seen three other lawyers who were unable to deliver results. In the end, they decided to retain leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, who had also successfully handled their daughter’s immigration case. When Michael’s priority date became current, Atty. Gurfinkel wrote the U.S. Embassy to request special accommodations, that Michael’s caregiver/guardian be allowed to accompany him to the interview. Atty. Gurfinkel briefed the caregiver days before Michael’s interview. Michael passed the interview and entered the U.S. as a green card holder in September 2014. Michael’s parents had a tearful reunion with their son and a truly Merry Christmas that year. But then tragedy struck. See how the events turned from pleasant to painful on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday at 6:15 p.m. PST/EST (9:15 p.m. EST thru select cable/satellite providers). (Advertising supplement)

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N OV E M B E R 29

13th annual mayor’s luncheon in Woodland Hills, CA The United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley presents the 13th annual mayor’s luncheon with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Wednesday, November 29 at the Warner Center Marriott - Grand Ballroom (21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367). Registration opens at 11 a.m. and the program is from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be complimentary self-parking, while valet is $16. For questions or sponsorship opportunities, please call (818) 981-4491 or email marian@unitedchambers.org.

N OV E M B E R 3 0

Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA Global Law Centers in association with Civicminds Recruitment presents an immigration forum on Thursday, November 30 at the Brookhurst Community Center (2271 Crescent Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801). Candidates and employers with H-1B, TN, F-1, OPT & other visa issues are encouraged to attend this FREE Q&A session from 6 to 8 p.m. Civicminds Recruitment will offer tips on how to find employers for green card and work visas after graduation, job placement assistance for qualified applicants and free resume evaluation. To register, please email admin@globallawcenters.com or call (714) 657-7460. For more information, please visit www.globallawcenters.com.

D EC E M B E R 1

Historic Filipinotown parol parade and festival in Los Angeles The Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council (HFNC) announced that the annual parade and festival will be on Friday, December 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event will start with the assembly of parols and vehicles at 250 N. Union St. at the Our Lady of Lorreto Catholic Church courtyard. The parade will start at 5 p.m. and will go westward from Union to Beverly, and will eventually end up at the FCC/FACLA compound at 1740 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90026. The HFNC is calling for volunteers who will serve as security, ushers, for registration and monitors for the parade. To volunteer, please call Art at (213)318-9065. For more information, please contact Cecile at (213) 503-8176.

D EC E M B E R 2

Pasko Na Naman in Glendale, CA The Federation of Filipino Rosary Groups will sponsor a fundraiser entitled “Pasko Na Naman 2” on Saturday, December 2 at the Glendale Civic Auditorium (1401 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA 91208) starting at 4 p.m. The presentation’s theme is Salo-salo at Pagdiriwang” which means “getting together joyfully.” The show will provide a glimpse on how Filipinos celebrate Christmas in the Philippines, which will be depicted through choral singing and folk dancing. The performers are Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts, St. Lorenzo Ruiz Parish Choir, Monique Magpayo and Kurt Winterhalter. Benefactors of proceeds include but are not limited to: Channel of Charity, Filipino Priests Association of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, feeding programs and FFRG faith formation events. Come one! Come All! Feel the scents and sights of Filipino Christmas. The audience will also enjoy “merienda cena” during the intermission. Ticket donation is $45.00 per person. For souvenir ad and ticket information, please contact Tess Domingo at (909) 855-2208 or Carol Evangelista at (909) 969-3316.

Free oil filter exchange in Alhambra, CA

THE UPS AND DOWNS, AND THE BITTERSWEET ENDING OF A SPECIAL CASE ABOUT A SPECIAL SON WHO HAD AUTISM ON THIS SUNDAY’S ‘CITIZEN PINOY!’ When Norma immigrated to the U.S., she had to leave behind their autistic son, Michael because he aged out. The separation broke her heart. Norma and husband Joy (left) went to three other attorneys who were unable to deliver results, until they decided to retain leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, who was finally able to bring Michael to the U.S., to be reunited with his parents. Watch the heartfelt journey of Michael and his family that led to a pleasant reunion, but with a painful ending, on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising supplement)

Fascinating history... PAGE CJ2 t him over” and keep him alive while waiting for a donor heart. 1972 - In the field of clinical application, Denton A. Cooley had, by this time, performed more than 10,000 open-heart surgeries, more than any other surgeon in the world. That year, in his honor, the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society was founded. Its members are the more than 800 heart surgeons from 50 countries around the world whom he trained at the Texas Heart Institute (THI) in Houston. (As a Filipino-American heart surgeon, I was truly humbled to be elected as its first president.) The THI has been doing more than 30 open-heart surgeries per day since then. 1970s - Michel Mirowski, M.D., and his associates, Morton Mower, Stephen Heilman, M.D., Alois Langer, PhD, and a company called Medrad in Pittsburgh, developed the automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator. In 1980, the prototype AICD was implanted at Johns Hopkins to prevent sudden cardiac death.

1982 - Willem DeVries, an American surgeon, implanted a permanent artificial heart, designed by Robert Jarvic, also an American physician. O. H. Frazier and his team under Dr. Cooley at the Texas Heart Institute has performed more than 600 heart transplants, and doing extensive works on artificial (mechanical) hearts. Someday, they will be available on the shelf like pacemakers today, and heart bypass and cardiac valve surgeries would be a thing of the past. A crazy idea A most worthy pioneer was Werner Forssmann, who, as a surgical resident in Germany in 1929, experimented with himself by inserting a catheter through a vein in his arm and into his heart. He walked to the basement where the X-ray machine was, and x-rayed himself to prove that the catheter was in his heart. In another experiment, he injected dye to his heart through that catheter and took x-ray film. Many of his fellow physicians were outraged by his “daring and insane” acts.

This, by the way, was the origin of what we know today as coronary or heart angiogram or cardiac catheterization that made possible life-saving procedures, like angioplasties and heart bypass surgeries all over the world. Thanks to Forssmann’s “crazy idea.” In 1956, Forssmann was awarded a Nobel prize, shared with Dickinson Richards and Andre Cournand, physicians in New York who studied heart function and physiology using catheters. (To be continued next week) *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

Attention all Alhambra residents! Free oil filter & motor oil recycling event on Saturday, December 2! Everyone is invited to bring in their used motor oil and used oil filters. All those who recycle their used oil filter will receive one FREE new oil filter. Recycling motor oil and filters helps save our environment and keeps our water clean. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at AutoZone located at 1100 W. Commonwealth Ave., Alhambra, CA 91803.

D EC E M B E R 3

Arnel Pineda in Los Angeles Arnel Pineda, the lead singer of the internationally acclaimed rock band JOURNEY, will be in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 3 at the famed Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. The show begins at 6 p.m. VIP ticket ($200) includes CD, concert tour shirt, meet & greet. Other ticket prices are $150, $100, $75 or $50. For sponsorship and tickets, please call or text: Trini Foliente at (626) 818-7147; Cora Soriano at (213) 999-1993 or Andy Tecson at (323) 467-5096.

D EC E M B E R 27-29

Ateneo de Naga High School Class ’67 celebrates 50th anniversary in Naga City The Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) High School Class 1967 is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2017 from December 27 to 29 with various activities lined up for its 153 alumni members. (ADNU is a leading Jesuit university in the Bicol region located in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines). The activities include the publication of its 50thAnniversary Yearbook, a coffee table book which features the individual life stories of the class members after high school, tributes to their mentors, and various articles about school life in the 1960s. Also scheduled for the middle of the year is a golf tournament which — aside from fostering camaraderie — will essentially be a fund-raising activity for planned alumni projects such as a medical mission to a remote provincial town, scholarships, and donations for other worthy causes. This year’s reunion will be at the ADNU main campus in Naga City with various fun and commemorative activities lined up for the occasion. All batch members, wherever they are domiciled, including those residing in foreign countries, especially those in the USA and Canada, are enjoined to contribute their life story articles for the anniversary book as soon as possible, to participate in the various identified activities and outreach projects, and attend the grand homecoming in December. For coordination and for details about the events and activities, please email or call up any of the following batch members: Jojo de Jesus (email: jvdejesus6@yahoo.com; cell: 09772114750); Nilo Ezequiel (email: nilo. ezequiel0977@gmail.com; cell: 09257200926; Antonio Sibulo, MD (email: assjrmd@gmail. com).

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NOVEMBER 24-30, 2017 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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PH’s ‘Build, build, build’ seen to benefit from closer ties with China, Japan by Ben

O. de Vera Inquirer.net

“BUILD, Build, Build” would be felt not only in the Philippines but also across the so-called “tiger cub” economies of Asean as governments ramp up infrastructure development to sustain economic growth, UK-based Oxford Economics said Friday, November 17. “Philippine President Duterte’s phrase ‘Build, Build, Build’ can be aptly used to describe the vast growth potential and opportunities of the Asian construction sector over the next 10 years in the Asian century,” Oxford Economics said in a report titled “Asia to ‘Build, Build, Build’ as a region-wide construction boom gathers pace.” Oxford Economics noted that Asean tiger cubs—which besides the Philippines include Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam—are now among the fastest-growing economies globally, even outpacing expansion in mature Asian tigers such as Hong Kong, Singapore, South

Korea and Taiwan. “And with China’s once-booming economy slowing, the ‘cubs’ may also soon be growing faster than the region’s dominant economic powerhouse,” Oxford Economics said. “To maintain their current, strong growth trajectory, and fulfill their long-term economic potential, these [tiger cub] countries need to invest heavily in infrastructure such as transportation and utilities like power generation and distribution, water, and sewage networks. While underpinning continuing strong economic expansion, these expected investments will simultaneously boost the living standards of the people of these populous nations,” according to Oxford Economics. In the case of the Philippines, it will likely benefit from closer ties with both China and Japan, according to Oxford Economics. “Japan’s government is increasingly competing to invest in infrastructure projects in Southeast Asia. In one example, the Philippines recently signed a deal with Japan to build the Phil-

ippines’ first subway for $6 billion,” it noted. “But whether investment flows from China or Japan, the overall impact is further fuel for the Southeast Asian construction sector,” it added. In Asean, “rising living standards and increasing incomes for the region’s 639 million people will fuel demands for better quality housing and public facilities, including for healthcare and education, as these nations see a burgeoning of their better-off middle class,” Oxford Economics said. “At the same time, even with rising incomes, the region’s growth is also being buoyed by its evolution as a key regional and global manufacturing hub supported by its large supply of still relatively cheap labor. This increasingly powerful trend is attracting a strong flow of inward business investment from both local and multinational manufacturers. In turn, this is stoking demand for commercial and industrial buildings and improved transport connectivity across each country and the wider re-

Criminal convictions and immigration... PAGE CJ2 t

enforcement. Pursuant to the Kelly Memorandum of February 20, 2017, noncitizens are removable if they – (i) have been convicted of any criminal offense; (ii) have been charged with any criminal offense that has not been resolved; (iii) have engaged in fraud or willful misrepresentation in connection with any official matter before a governmental agency; (iv) have abused any program related to receipt of public benefits; (v) are subject to a final order of removal but have not complied with their legal obligation to depart the U.S.; (vi) in the judgment of an immigration officer, otherwise pose a risk to public safety or national security. Negative Consequences of

Criminal Conviction. The Record of Conviction details an individual’s criminal history. More importantly, the relief(s) available to an individual facing deportation will depend largely on that individual’s record of conviction. Thus, even “just a misdemeanor” can make a non-citizen deportable, even if that person is a long-time green card holder and has lived in the United States for 20 years. Therefore, it is very important to understand that before taking a plea deal, consult with a deportation defense attorney. No two cases are exactly the same. Consult with an experienced and competent immigration attorney immediately, and more importantly prior to filing any applications with the USCIS, or prior to pleading to anything

in any court, in order to explore their options and possible legal ramifications that they might be facing. *** Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 4958088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ctvattys. com. For general information visit www. chuatinsayvega.com. (Advertising Supplement)

Volunteer banks can swap old... PAGE CJ1 t

of the dominant color that uses distinct and primary inks. BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo earlier said the central bank has no update on the amount of NDS bills that remained unchanged as most of

EMPLOYMENT

the old banknotes have already been shredded or destroyed. He explained the life expectancy of the banknotes is very short at one year for the P20 and P50 bills, about two years for the P100 to P200 banknotes, and five years for the P500 and

P1,000 bills. The BSP under Republic Act 7653 or the new Central Bank Act of 1993 could call in for replacement notes of any series or denomination that are more than five years old and coins that are more than 10 years old. n

EMPLOYMENT

SERVICES

Inquirer.net photo

gion,” it added. Also, “with all Asean membercountries (except already heavily developed Singapore) still undergoing rapid urbanization, there are huge requirements for new built structures (beside infrastructure construction) to accommodate the increasing demand,” it said. “In terms of residential development, across the Asean region there is equally a large under-supply of housing. When combined with the need for commercial real estate and infrastructure to service both sectors, we expect the region’s construction sector to remain on a strongly upward growth

path over the next five years,” according to Oxford Economics. It helps that China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative is aggressively aiming to connect the mainland and Southeast Asia with the rest of the continent and as far as Africa and Europe, Oxford Economics said. For Oxford Economics, “the Southeast Asian region is a pivotal element in the One Belt, One Road initiative, and China has the financial muscle to develop these projects aggressively while they are keenly embraced by countries in the region lacking the resources to develop such much-needed infrastruc-

ture projects.” As such, “the resulting increased scale of development (from the China-led initiative) looks set to prove to be win-win for all in the region, it said. In the next five years, Oxford Economics estimated construction investments across Asia to average $1.61 trillion yearly and exceed the projected $890 billion in the European Union as well as $697 billion in the United States. Last year, Asia’s construction industry, as measured by gross value added in real terms, reached $1.4 trillion, surpassing the EU’s $831 billion and the U.S.’s $648 billion. n

‘PH growth to top 6% in medium term’... PAGE CJ1 t economy had expanded by a better-than-expected 6.9 percent in the third quarter. Results for the second quarter were also revised upwards and year-todate growth, at 6.7 percent, kept the country on track to hitting the 6.5-7.5 percent target for 2017. BMI said that favorable demographics trends, a strong public investment drive and deepening economic cooperation with China and Japan were expected to continue supporting economic growth. However, it noted that equity market trends were showing signs of fatigue and the Philippine peso remained one of Asia’s worst performing currencies. “This signals weak investor sentiment, which is likely to act as a headwind to further growth acceleration,” BMI said. It added that the Philippines

had also fallen 14 notches to 113th in the World Bank’s 2018 Ease of Doing Business rankings, with particularly poor showings in terms of starting a business, getting credit and protecting minority investors. “It seems that economic reform momentum is sputtering as President Rodrigo Duterte has shifted his attention to the war on drugs, and more recently the war against terrorism in the Southern Philippines,” it said. BMI said Duterte’s poor track record with regard to human

SERVICES

rights and his volatile nature had also created a political backlash against his administration, both domestically and internationally, despite still-high personal approval ratings. “Meanwhile, his harsh rhetoric against western countries and international organizations like the EU, U.S., and United Nations has put his country at odds with many western investors, which are the contributors of the massive $25 billion business process outsourcing sector,” it noted. n

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Community Journal

API Wellness feeds hundreds, offers critical medical services to the homeless in the Tenderloin District

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 24-30, 2017

Free household hazardous waste collection on Dec. 9

SAN FRANCISCO — On Wednesday, November 15, the API Wellness Center continued its premier service project aimed at supporting the needs of the homeless population in area, Tenderloin Cares. Beginning at the start of the holiday season, the health center will hold its second Tenderloin Cares, affectionately called TLC, to community offering a hot meal, flu shots, hygiene kits, haircuts, needle exchange services, mental health referrals and medical care in one convenient location. The pilot project, which launched in October, served over 100 community members and this month is expected to grow much more in efforts to provide critical services to a growing homeless population in San Francisco. “Many people who live in the Tenderloin have more pressing needs in their lives than their health such as food, housing and hygiene.” Said Dr. Tri Do, chief medical officer of API Wellness. “By providing for basic needs and offering healthcare at the same time, we hope we can make it easier for our neighborhood to be healthy.” API Wellness has remained a “home” to

many of residents in the Tenderloin district and the agency has been long service provider for 30 years known for its HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care. Now, with comprehensive and primary care options that focus on the LGBTQ and homeless population, API Wellness hopes that Tenderloin Cares will be a continuing conduit that provides access to quality healthcare. “We believe that everyone deserves access to high quality health care. This is the cornerstone of our clinic.” Said Lance Toma, Executive Director of API Wellness. “It is also our intention to be part of the solution to the issue of homelessness in San Francisco. We want to welcome all of our neighbors into our agency with open arms so that they know that we are a resource for them to access health care and other supportive services.” Tenderloin Cares will continue at API Wellness until December 13 from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at 730 Polk Street, 4th Floor San Francisco, CA. About API Wellness API Wellness is an LGBTQ and people of color community health center that transforms lives by advancing health, wellness,

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Philippine Embassy in cooperation with the U.S.-Philippines Society organized a roundtable discussion on federalism, featuring Cagayan Export Zone Authority (CEZA) CEO Raul L. Lambino last November 8. Secretary Lambino, a strong advocate of federalism, is also the Vice President for International Affairs of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) Party. In the discussion attended by U.S. business representatives and Filipino community leaders, Lambino highlighted the advantages of having a federal system of government, its objectives, and the proposed model of Philippine federalism. “The objectives of federalism will be to activate the regions’ participation in national decision making, to accelerate economic development of the regions, achieve peace in Mindanao, and allow the preservation of culture and the languages of the various ethno-linguistic groups,” said Lambino. The secretary further explained the administrative structure of the regional governments and the division of powers under the proposed model. “This is how we envision the Philippines to be. This is not a proposal that is not subject to modification, but we are proposing the establishment of 11 regional governments in the country,” the secretary said. Defense, national security, foreign policy, currency, banking, and monetary policy, customs and national taxation, and inter-

LOOKING for a holiday or birthday present? Just want to treat yourself before finals and exams start? Gifts and self-care can be expensive but you can make free presents at the library! Come to the DoIt-Yourself Gift Workshop at the library to make Secretary Raul L. Lambino talks about federalism and the proposed Philippine federalism model at a roundtable discussion and take gifts. organized by the Philippine Embassy and the US-Philippines Society on November 8. Teens can national trade powers will be retained by the main roadblocks in pushing for federal- make their own the federal government, while the regional ism in the Philippines, and the government’s b a t h b o m b s , governments will be responsible for the plan to conduct information drive campaigns decorate mugs, development of the region and for pro- to gather support for federalism nation-wide. and design their viding basic services to its constituents. US corporate officials were also curious about own wrapping Lambino also highlighted the principle of how such a shift may impact the business paper at this fun solidarity wherein the welfare of each re- and investment environment in the country. workshop. Teens gion is the business of all the other regions The Secretary was in the U.S. Capital to- are invited to the in order to ensure that the basic services gether with CEZA OIC Deputy Administra- Alameda Free Library on Saturrendered to the people are more or less of tor for Planning Raymundo Roquero and day, December 2, at 2 p.m. for the same quality or standard wherever in CEZA Deputy Administrator for Operations this fun workshop. The event will the country they may be. Geoffrey Aldrin Cabalza, for a 3-day invest- be in the Teen Room at the Main In the brief Q&A session, Lambino fielded ment mission designed to promote the Ca- Library on 1550 Oak Street. This a wide range of questions including on the gayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport event is for teens, ages 13 to 18, only. possible impact of federalism to Mindanao, (CSEZFP) to vary. n

and equality. It believes everyone deserves to be healthy and needs access to the highest quality health care. At API Wellness, health care is grounded in social justice. With two locations, API Wellness is an anchor institution in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood and a comprehensive health home for the LGBTQ community in the Castro. API Wellness operates a fully licensed, federally qualified health center; runs one of the largest transgender community drop-in centers in the country; and is the premier HIV treatment and care provider for people living with HIV in the Tenderloin. For more information please visit www.apiwellness.org. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under H80CS28978 and Health Center Program for $650,000.00. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. n

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SAN Mateo County residents can make an appointment to dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW) for free at a special collection event in Daly City on Saturday, December 9, 2017, from 8:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. To participate, you must schedule an appointment at San Mateo County’s HHW Program: www. smchealth.org/hhw or by calling (650) 363-4718, select option 3. The event location will be disclosed once your appointment has been confirmed. No commercial waste is allowed. Residents are asked to turn off their engine and stay in their vehicle while waste is being removed. Accepted items include clean-

ing products, fertilizers, pesticides, flammable liquids, fluorescent lights (compact and tubes), paint, acids/bases, aerosol cans, automotive supplies (car batteries, motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, brake fluid), inks, and photo chemicals. All waste collected is reused, recycled, or stabilized for proper disposal to achieve zero waste and prevent any items from going to the landfill an d contaminating our water and soil. No radioactive, explosive, or medical waste.n

Free Do-It-Yourself gift Philippine Embassy holds roundtable on federalism workshop for teens

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com. And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event. To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice. The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

Supplies are limited and registration is required. To register, please contact Teen Librarian Hallie Fields at hfields@alamedca.gov or register through the library’s online calendar at www. alamedafree.org. n

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NOVEMBER 24-30, 2017 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

Friday, November 24, 2017

SF2

cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 24, 2017

‘The Girl Who Sees’: Fil-Ams design new video game on Filipino culture and mythology by

Christina M. Oriel / AJPress

GIVEN the lack of Filipino representation in the international gaming industry, a group of Filipino-Americans is seeking to change that with the development of a Filipino fantasy video game. Set during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II, “The Girl Who Sees” is a 2D point-and-click adventure role-playing game (RPG) that follows Quina Laban (the Tagalog word for fight), a young Filipina girl living in a fishing village. She encounters mythological creatures, like a duwende (dwarf) or kapre (tree giant), and embarks on quests, such as translating a mysterious ancient scroll. With the scroll, Quina hopes to uncover “this secret [to] explain why she suddenly gains the power to see Tagalog words everywhere she turns,” according to the game’s creator and project lead, Pattie Umali. Umali shared that “The Girl Who Sees” looks to make strides as the first game of its kind catering to the Filipino diaspora — including the first internationally-released, kid-friendly adventure game about ancient Philippine mythology and the first game in the United States to focus on Filipino culture. [Editor’s note: There have been a plethora of Filipino-produced video games, including Anito: Defend a Land Enraged (2003), which is considered the first-ever video game produced and designed by an entire team of Filipino game developers, spurring the game development industry in the Philippines. It was released in Europe and North America, and went on to win the excellence in audio award at the Independent Games Festival in 2004. One of the more recently released games is Mayari, a mobile game influenced by Filipino myths and beliefs, which won at the International Mobile Gaming Awards - Southeast Asia this past October.] Reconnecting with Filipino culture The idea of the game first came about sometime in 2016 when Umali was pursuing a master’s degree in international and intercultural communication at American University in Washington, DC and had taken some courses at the Game Lab.

Cherisse Datu (left), Pattie Umali (right), and lead programmer Nathan Hahn (far right) during a work session.

“The Girl Who Sees” team includes Filipina-Americans Cherisse Datu (game design and media communications) and Pattie Umali (creator).

Illustrations & graphics by Jerald Dorado

one thing that Cherisse and I have sort of talked about is that there is definitely not going to be any romantic interest in this game because you know we want to show that a girl can do all this on her own without anyone’s help,” Umali said. Datu added that throughout the game, Quina has to navigate and communicate in a “male-influenced world.” The team anticipates that young boys will be receptive as well to playing as a female character because of the types of adventures and challenges Quina encounters along the way. “For me, I would love to get boys to experience playing a female who isn’t completely sexualized like Lara Croft or you know any other game in which there’s a female character,” Umali said. Added Datu, “And recognize that you know, girls can be as bad ass and kick ass too. And she’s doing a lot of kick-ass things that boys enjoy doing as well. There’s nothing really gendered too much about her, just like she’s wearing a dress.” Tool for social change Though the target audience is 10 to 30 years old, the team says it can transcend generations and age groups — kids can play it with their parents and other older relatives and start conversations their own stories— and cater to those who don’t have much experience playing video games. “I hope that people who don’t traditionally play games will give this a chance and check out our demo. Something that I’m really focused on is making this game accessible to people of all types of ages and all levels… because as I said, I do think that this is something that could really bond people of different age groups together,” Umali said. “They don’t have to be scared of it just because it’s a video game. It is fun to play and it will teach you some things.” To coincide with Filipino-American History Month in October, the team launched the game’s demo and a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo with a $30,000 goal. As of this writing, nearly $8,000 had been raised with a month left. Before the campaign ends, the team is reaching out to the FilipinoAmerican community, either through online or live events, to preorder and donate to the campaign. “I can say it’s that interesting so far in sort of engaging the Filipino community online and we have been seeing the awesome sharing and exposure…but one request and plea that our team has is that interest should be accompanied by action. We have had a lot of interest, but people aren’t necessarily going and donating to our campaign. They don’t have to go and give $100. I mean even just expressing their support in the form of $5 or $10, this could be a world of help to us,” Umali said. On the potential criticism, Datu shared that there is some vulnerability in making a game drawing from a specific culture and time period. “…You worry about what people are going to say — even if it’s a worry about whether you’re Filipino enough, you talk about it, and then you’re going to worry about like, ‘Oh, what are we missing?’” Datu said. “We have all these reference points in Filipino culture. When we get to the end of the Indiegogo [campaign] in November…we’re going to see where we’re at with our reputation in the Filipino community. Is it our funding level enough that we can give them a good game?” This funding will go toward developing, promoting and publishing the game with four chapters by December 2018 available for Windows and Mac computers. Those who donate will receive a copy of the full game, which has features like learning Tagalog through translating an ancient scroll with Quina and completing quests for Manong Kapre, such as interacting with Japanese soldiers and hidden guerrilla fighters. “There are a lot of brilliant Filipino artists and Filipino musicians. And so, for me, after we reach our funding goal, I’d be totally open to getting back to the community and talking through what it takes to sort of make the game. Hopefully, this won’t be the only Filipino game; this will be the beginning of more games about Filipino culture,” Datu Illustrations & graphics by Jerald Dorado Quina Laban, the heroine of “The Girl Who said.

Later that year, she participated in the Global Game Jam, where she met Cherisse Datu and Nathan Hahn, who are both now part of the design and development team of “The Girl Who Sees.” “I was looking for a quick summer project to do and it turned into a much bigger thing with a life of its own,” Umali told the Asian Journal. Others behind the game are Jerald Dorado (game and promotional art), Joshua Marquez (music), Tristan Espinoza (animation and story), Andrew Pendergrast (music), and Brittany Williams (video). In conceptualizing the game, Umali thought about a period of time in the Philippines — World War II — that could spark interest in younger generations of Filipinos and even non-Filipinos to learn about the country’s history. Her previous research found that there had not been any game whose title or main focus was on Filipino culture or the Philippines. “There is a social good edge to it, which is to learn more about Filipino culture that no one has ever really delved deep into in terms of media, unless you’re talking about war zones and someone shooting up things in the Philippines,” Datu said. Datu, whose media background includes working at Al Jazeera and ESPN, remarked that she was attracted to Umali’s project because of the opportunity to bring more visibility to Filipino culture and compel second and third generations of Filipinos to learn their parents’ native tongue. “I think to be a Filipino-American in America, it’s kind of like a revolutionary act to love yourself or to say like, ‘Oh, my language is important,’” Datu said. The main character Quina and the setting of the game were heavily influenced by Umali’s maternal grandmother Ofelia, who grew up in Pigcawayan, a municipality in the Cotabato province of the Philippines, during the war. (The fictional town in the game is named Pigcaway.) Twelve years old when the war began, Ofelia and her family hid in the forest after their home was burned down. With the help of a local tribe, the family was able to build a house using supplies and materials they found. “That really impacted me as such a different life experience that I’m never going to have to encounter, God willing,” Umali said. “It was something I really wanted to highlight about how so many people in the Philippines who were of the older generation had experienced such trauma and such cruelty…They are only a couple of generations away and we should be aware of those differences and experiences.” With choosing a young girl as the heroine — inspired by games from the early 2000s that featured “a kid running around on an adventure” — Umali and Datu hope Filipinas will be motivated to play the game. “I really hope that it shows them that they don’t need any boys’ help to explore. I hope that they build plenty of confidence. And frankly,

Sees”

Christian Bautista on engagement with Rhian Ramos on moving on: ‘Focus on other areas of life that need improvement’ girlfriend: ‘About time we settled down’ by DOlly

anne Carvajal Inquirer.net

by riCky lO Philstar.com

He’s 36 and she’s 33. And they’ve been going steady for two years (since Nov. 18, 2015), long enough for them to know each other pretty well. “About time we settled down,” Christian Bautista told The Star. The soon-to-be Mrs. Christian Bautista is Kat Ramnani, one-fourth Filipino, one-fourth American, one-fourth Irish and one-fourth Indian. It was during the sweethearts’ journey around europe, with a sojourn in Venice where Christian popped the de rigueur question “Will you marry me?” to which Kat readily said, “Yes!” That was last Oct. 30. As the excited Christian posted on his Facebook, “I wanted a picturesque spot to make the proposal. should it be the cliffs of santorini, the ancient sites of Athens or the romantic city of Florence? Places that were too public.

Christian Bautista with fianceé Kat Ramnani

so when we were back at the hotel eating cold pizza when it was just the two of us, that was where I asked her. No frills. Just real truth and real love. And she said yes.” And, may I hasten to add, no drama, so unlike other celebrity proposals made at a crowded mall, on national television during the taping of a show, at the basketball court, at the airport or anywhere calculated to draw people’s

sINCe Rhian Ramos is from GMA 7 and Zanjoe Marudo is from ABs-CBN, it’s quite a treat to see them together for the first time on the big screen. They set aside the “network war” and declared a truce by starring in Cineko Productions and star Cinema’s “Fallback.” A fallback guy or girl is sort of an “insignificant other” or, to put it bluntly, a “spare tire.” When our heart is in limbo after a breakup, we try to have fun with the wrong ones until the right one comes along. That’s what “fallbacks” are for. The characters that Rhian and Zanjoe portray in their screen rom-com will take us on a topsy-turvy journey to “happy-never-after.” Photo from Instagram/@xtianbautista Here’s my chat with Rhian: attention. Did you ever have a fallback guy? For four years now, Kat has I was once a fallback girl for a guy who had a been Globe Telecom manager girlfriend but still courted me. I was into him, but I for Content and strategic Part- couldn’t take him seriously knowing he was already nerships of the Mobile Data in a relationship. I eventually got over it—or so I service division. After tucking thought—and had a different boyfriend. Then, I up a Business Marketing & found out that he and his girlfriend broke up. I didn’t Communications degree from realize it at the time but, subconsciously, he became santa Clara University, a private my fallback. We ended up becoming a couple when Jesuit university in silicon Valmy boyfriend and I broke up. ley, California, Kat worked in Does “love on the rebound” work? the U.s. for Google, and then I’m not sure about the potential of a rebound lastat Apple and Facebook before ing. What people get from a rebound is the restoraContinued on Page SF4 Continued on Page SF4 Rhian Ramos

GMA photo

Getting to know Miss UniversePhilippines 2017 Rachel Peters By Monet

Lu

I have caught wind of the latest update regarding Miss Universe 2017 that is happening on November 26 at Planet hollywood in Las vegas. The Philippines’ representative to Miss Universe 2017, Rachel Peters, seems to be a crowd favorite in this early stage in the competition. She is now leading in the pageant’s Facebook poll with over 209,000 votes as of posting. Rachel is followed by Miss Thailand with over 155,000 likes; Brazil with 28,000; Colombia with 37,000; Indonesia with 24,000; Nicaragua with 18,000; and Germany with 14,000. This is good news for our country as we have been consistently placing well in these pageants for the past six years It would be an honor to win the crown again after Pia Wurtzbach won Miss Universe in 2015. I was there when that happened and I’m so thrilled to be witnessing it again this year. I will be in Las vegas to support our candidate (hopefully I would be a lucky charm). Many will be flying out to support Rachel and we all just hope she gets in the top 5. I watched her performance in the Binibining Pilipinas. She is oozing with confidence and she really owned the stage the night. She won Best in Swimsuit and that’s not really surprising once you see her walk with such fierceness and boy, her legs are endless! The crowd couldn’t get enough of her upon seeing her in her shimmering evening gown and the way she handled the Question and answer (Q&a) portion like a pro. She was asked about what she would say if she were to speak to leaders at the association of Southeast asian Nations (aSeaN)Summit. To which she confidently responded: “I believe one of the biggest problems that our country is facing today is divisiveness in politics, in religion, and also in culture. and I believe that it is something that is the same across the world, and that is something I would want to ad-

features SF3 The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE – November 24, 2017

Rachel Peters wears Sarimanok-inspired national costume for Miss Universe by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

dress. I believe that when people can learn to tolerate each other’s differences and respect each other’s opinions, then we will just be a stronger nation and world.” Rachel is 25 years old, of Filipino and British descent, and is from Camarines Sur. She is a graduate of La Trobe University in australia. Before she entered Binibining Pilipinas, Rachel joined the Miss World Philippines 2014 pageant, where she placed 4th Princess to valerie Weigmann. She loves dogs and posts a lot of photos with her pets. according to her Bb Pilipinas profile, Rachel completed her International Baccalaureate at the British School in Phuket, Thailand, and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Business, Tourism and events from La Trobe University in australia. She is also an events organizer. On her Bb. Pilipinas video profile, she talked about organizing events and concerts. “I’ve been living and breathing events for as long as I can remember. I’ve been lucky enough to work with artists such as Katy Perry and Christina aguilera,” she said. In her interview with Mega Style Ph, Rachel described herself as “not very girly.” “Growing up I wasn’t very girly. I’d always hang out with boys and we’d be playing on the beach, I’d also play lots of sports like rugby. You can imagine how it was a transition for me when I needed to start walking in heels, but I kept my style completely the same. as I said my advocacy is staying true to oneself and that’s what I did all throughout.” It took longer for Rachel

to be convinced of joining the Binibining Pilipinas. “Since joining Miss World, I’ve always had some people messaging me, ‘Please join. Why don’t you try?’’ and there’s always been a prestige that comes with being a Binibini. and I’m 25 and so I thought this was kinda my last chance and my last shot. and so I’m here and I’m gonna give it my all.” says Rachel in an interview with Rappler. Now that she is finally in one of the greatest moments in her life competing with 91 candidates around the world, she has this one trick up her sleeves that her mom taught her. “The most important thing that my mom has thought me is to really enjoy myself and also to take time for myself too. Because it can get pretty crazy what we’re doing and so we really need take ten minutes by ourselves. and when I started doing that, it made things so much clearer. and also to be kind to everyone,” Rachel says Well, Rachel, you are doing a great job charming them with your personality, attitude and beauty. Congrats on the votes! I will be there cheering for you along with “half the country.” Keep shining, Pilipinas! *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

Miss Universe-Philippines 2017 Rachel Peters Photo from Instagram@rachelpetersx

Viray

MISS Universe Philippines Rachel Peters showed off her Sarimanok-inspired national costume during the preliminaries of the 66th Miss Universe competition in Las vegas on Saturday, Nov. 18. Peters’ national costume depicts the legendary Sarimanok, a legendary bird of the Maranao people from Mindanao. Dubai-based fashion designer val Taguba designed Peters’ golden swimsuit with a trail while Jojo Bragais designed her knee-high shoes. The Philippines’ bet would also be wearing Taguba’s creation for the evening gown competition. The coronation night of the Miss Universe pageant would be held at the aXIS at Planet hollywood Resort and Casino in Las vegas on Sunday, November 26.

Bianca King knows she made the right move by iza igLesias ManilaTimes.net

IN her almost 13 years in show business, Bianca King has learned the true meaning of ups and down. With most of her career spent at GMa Network where she starred in over a dozen soaps, she had a twoyear stint in Tv5, which wasn’t too memorable radar-wise, finally transferring to aBS-CBN in 2016. Immediately, the dramatic actress was cast in the afternoon series “Pusong Ligaw” as lead antagonist Marga, and the show has turned out to be her longest television project ever. “actually, from the story conference in October 2016, a whole year had passed since I joined aBS-CBN. and then with ‘Pusong Ligaw’ starting in april, this has definitely been my longest soap so far. and hindi ko naramdaman na dumaan yung panahon because I’m really enjoying myself,” King happily said, clearly grateful she made the right move to

Bianca King

her present network. “I’ve been a Kapamilya for a year, but it only feels like I’ve only been here a month, meaning to say all my experiences still feel fresh. I feel at home as well because of all the lovely people I work with,” the 32year-old actress continued. The hit afternoon series is now on its second chapter and King is very excited over

Photo from Instagram/@bianca_king

the exciting turn of events in the gripping and sexy love story that also stars Beauty Gonzalez, Joem Bascon, Raymond Bagatsing, Diego Loyzaga, Sofia andres and enzo Pineda. “expect a lot more intense scenes,” promised King as she invites the public to watch Pusong Ligaw weekdays after “It’s Showtime”.

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celebrityworld

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 24, 2017

celebrity world By Ferdie Villar FOR the merry month of December, internationally known boxing champion and Philippine senator Manny Pacquiao heads the list of prominent celebrities celebrating their birthdays. He will be 39 years old on Sunday, December 13. Other personalities who will

Former Miss RP-USA Sarah Atienza Leong will celebrate her birthday on Monday, December 4.

be celebrating their birthdays are: December 4 - Former Miss RP-US winner Sarah Atienza Leong and pop singer Yeng Constantino; December 6 - Philippines Today Vice President for Operations Thelma Cruz; December 7 - GMA Pinoy TV President Atty. Felipe Gozon, Daly City medical assistant Susan Gonzales, and San Francisco jewel designer Josie Harris; December 8 - Filipina caregiver Aida Marinas; December 9 - Former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Marina community leader Anita Lomboy; December 10 - Former Miss RP-USA World Eva Reyes; December 11 - Former president of the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California Dr. Carmelo Lim Roco, and matinee idol Derek Ramsey; December 12 - Hillsbor-

International boxing champion and senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao heads the list of celebrities celebrating their birthdays this December.

Boxing champ and senator Manny Pacquiao heads list of December birthday celebrants

ough successful businesswoman Upeng Abad Sy, and Concert Queen Pops Fernandez; December 13 - Former senator Manny Villar; December 15 - Cupertino jetsetter Rema Zafrani Vasa; December 16 - Multiawarded veteran actress Gloria Romero, Health Professionals chief accountant Elvie Angeles, and actress Aiko Melendez; December 17 - Former Miss United Nations International Anna Satorre; December 20 - Beauty expert and travel consultant Cristina Casere, Star Cinema actress Valerie Concepcion, South San Francisco community leader Connie Belleza Gaspar, and singer-actor Carlos Agassi; December 21 - Former Mrs. RP-USA International and fashion model Marilen Bernardo, former Mrs RP-USA World Christine Acha, and Filipino restaurateur Manny Noguera; December 23 - Karilagan Restaurant owner Elsie Palen-

Former Mrs. RP-USA International and fashion model Marilen Bernardo will celebrate her birthday on Thursday, December 21

Former senator Manny Villar will celebrate his birthday on Wednesday, December 13.

cia; December 24 - Multiawarded actress Lorna Tolentino; December 27 - Gilroy auto mechanic and shop owner Dar

Health Professionals chief accountant Elvie Angeles will celebrate her birthday on Saturday, December 16.

Rabonza; December 28 - Former RPLas Vegas and fashion designer Nina Alberto, and former LBC treasurer Fely Ruiz; December 29 - San Ramon

Cupertino jetsetter Rema Zafrani Vasa will celebrate her birthday on Friday, December 15.

Former Miss United Nations International Anna Satorre will celebrate her birthday on Sunday, December 17.

businesswoman Flora Enriquez; December 30 - Actor Jake Cuenca (who was born in San Jose, California). Happy birthday to all December celebrants!

Philippines Today Vice President for Operations Thelma Cruz will celebrate her birthday on Wednesday, December 6.

Christian Bautista on engagement with... From Page SF2

she came home and joined Globe. Christian talked about “how it all happened” in this exclusive conversation. Why did you choose Venice for the proposal? “I didn’t really choose a destination. I chose a time that felt right to do it. It so happened that we were in Venice at that time. After a long day of mishaps (caught late train, missed our boat), we had a really special moment where everything felt so right. That’s when I asked her.” What were you in Venice for? “We were there for vacation; we had been planning this holiday for a year. We explored Greece and Italy. We visited Athens, Santorini, Venice, Florence and Milan. We went to see the sights, ate good food, and shopped till we dropped.” People might suspect that you just wanted to go with the “trend” of showbiz couples proposing. “I believe proposing is not a

trend. It never is. It is a serious commitment.” How did you meet and fall in love? “We met a few years ago through common friends. We became friends at first. After a year and a half of being friends, we started dating and eventually, officially became a couple. “We met in an Escape room (in Breakout Paragon Plaza, a recreation center in Mandaluyong City). It’s a game room where you and your friends discover ways and clues to reach the next room. It just so happened that later on in life we would find out that we were looking for each other.” When did you realize that you were compatible and ready for marriage? “There’s a feeling in your gut, deep down, that will tell you that it’s time. Compatibility is all about finding someone that interprets love the same way you do. You both do your best to stick together and love each other despite different personalities and backgrounds. As for being ready for mar-

riage, I believe it’s always about putting in the effort that both of you want to make it work all the time.” What do you have in common (likes and dislikes, etc.)? “We both like eating good food and sourcing out the best restaurants when we travel. We love traveling. We love to talk about tech news and invest and support in kick-starter companies. “We love animals and really corny jokes, and we love working out. We love to surf. She actually was the first person to teach me how to surf during a La Union birthday trip that she organized and planned for my family, friends, and me.” What kind of wedding do you plan to have? “We haven’t started with wedding planning yet. There’s so much that we need to do and we are still at the stage of asking advice and guidance from friends about it. But we want an intimate wedding with loved ones filled with lots of good food, love and laughter.”

Rhian Ramos on moving on: ‘Focus on... From Page SF2

tion of the confidence that they lost during their last heartbreak. What are your tips on mending a broken heart? The healthiest way is to focus on all the other areas of life that you can improve. Work out a lot, spend time making family happy, make more money, or if you’re an artist, write more/ paint more. What did you discover about Zanjoe? At first, I found him quite mysterious and a challenge to get to know. We didn’t instantly click, and we were quite shy with each other for the first few shooting days. I like his unique, subtle sense of humor. Sometimes, he randomly delivers a punchline that only the people who know him will be able to catch, and it almost makes me feel lucky to connect. What are your thoughts on

jealousy and infidelity? I’m not a particularly jealous person, which tends to make my patience towards jealousy very short. I don’t want to spend time worrying about infidelity, either, because the Philippines is just so small and we’re all chismosas and chismosos, so if someone were to be unfaithful to me, the chances that I won’t find out are slim. Would you consider transferring to ABS-CBN? I usually answer all the “what ifs” with “never say never.” What I appreciate is that the movie scene is expanding, and I’m lucky enough that my home network allows me to work with actors from ABSCBN. Which relationship is harder to save: when the guy wants out, or when the girl wants out? It’s harder when the guy wants out. They’re pretty

relentless about the things they want. Girls can try to make certain situations work, even if they aren’t ideal. But, in the same way, when a guy falls in love, they fall pretty deep, and they can’t be stopped. For someone like you who’s so poised, have you had any “wa-poise” moment? Truthfully, I’m not poised at all. The joke is that I have a 20minute allotment of poise per day, then “kukuba na ako.” What do you find hard to understand about men? That many of the guys I know can’t take what they dish out. They want to make fun of you, but if you do the same, they take it personally. What don’t people know about Rhian Ramos? If you want to hear something light, here goes: I always wear black, love math, I can’t jump rope, and I have been writing songs lately (laughs).

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 24, 2017

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As we celebrate another Thanksgiving, We pay tribute to our co-founders, whose vision paved the way for the success of Unistar Foods today. Our longevity is based on the determination and dedication of our founders to provide quality food products to the Filipino-American community in the West Coast. Owners Alvin and Carol Yam, along with Alvin’s brother Calvin, started this business from scratch. During the early days of the business, Unistar kicked off with Alvin as the sole employee. Back in July of 1986, he ran the company while occupying a garage. From there, the sole proprietors rolled the business into a leading purveyor of quality meat poultry, seafood and other food product line, housed in our own 30,000 square foot-facility in downtown Pomona, California. The Unistar processing facility allows us to more efficiently and effectively serve our clientele in the food service industry in Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire. We also serve San Diego, Las Vegas and Northern California. To professionalize the trade was the grand vision of the Yams. We follow strict quality control. Seeing to it that there is temperature control from our warehouse to our delivery trucks. Our high quality products come with very competitive and affordable prices. The company has really gone a long way since we started in 1986. Our business has earned the respect of both the consumers and competitors including our American counterparts over the years. But, we know in our hearts that the only way we could have come this far was because of the commitment we made from day one - to build our business by helping others build theirs.

Maraming Salamat Po!

Los Angeles • San Diego • Las Vegas • San Francisco 128 N. Gibbs St. Pomona, CA 91767

1 (800) 2-UNISTAR www.unistarfoodsinc.com

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T he Asian Jo ur na l SF M A G A Z I NE - N ov embe r 2 4 , 2 0 1 7

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